I think we've grown jaded to ALL attempts to buy elections
I wouldn't judge the Chinese too harshly for merely observing how US elections are financed with hundreds of millions of $$$ poured in from corporations, unions, special interest groups, etc. and then jumping in themselves to play the game, and try to buy a little influence. In a strange sort of way, we should actually be flattered! It's a very 'capitalist', and un-communist thing to do!