I believe that this attitude is a result of generations of training (largely driven by white-collar types.)  Fact is, most white-collar crime results in massive levels of suffering spread across many individuals while most run-of-the-mill crime is very limited in this respect.  If anything white-collar types should get even more harsh sentences for their crimes than common thugs for this reason.  At least that's the way I see it intellectually, though I have the same bias as everyone else so it's a strain to believe this.  One way or another, harsher punishments for white-collar crime would make it less common.  And as with anyone, if you can't do the time don't do the crime, and pretty much all white-collar folks have the mental ability to understand the fallout from their activities.  It bothers me greatly that these white collar guys go to minimum security places (for part of the week.)

Actually, one white collar guy who did hard time in the fed pen and plenty of it was the former CEO of QWest Joseph Nacchio who just happened to head up the only phone company who demanded a court order to turn his customer records over to the NSA in the early 2000's.  Funny how these things work, and pretty hard to stay positive about the nature of our country (here in the U.S.)

I consider it favorable that both China and Iran will use capital punishment for white-collar crime.  Whether they have a balanced justice system is doubtful though.  At least in China, and likely Iran (and pretty much anywhere else.)