Self-Assertive Mistresses and Corrupt Officials: The Complex Interdependencies

Abstract

This chapter makes a critical exploration of self-assertive mistresses and corrupt officials in today’s China. Through popular rhymes and reports in the state media that confirm the descriptions in such rhymes, it first highlights the senior officials who are brought down for economic crimes and “improper sexual relationships” with women. It then observes more closely the ties between mistresses and officials at various levels of Chinese government. Using a number of concepts such as bodies and social order, economic determinism, power, and violence, it further examines the complex interdependencies of mistresses, and sometimes “three-ways” girls, and officials. Both sides are viewed as providers, consumers, and victims of money and sex, ill-gotten asset keepers, informants for mistresses in some cases, and even murderers in the case of officials. The chapter concludes that the officials who keep mistresses may be at the mercy of their mistresses when the latter have to defend themselves. It has become a powerful weapon for mistresses to politicize their private life by taking the corrupt officials to the authorities if the officials do not meet their demands. While these women’s boldness is controversial, it nonetheless reflects the evolving gender relations in contemporary Chinese society.