 "Secondary school students gather in front of a screen displaying an image of Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai, China, March 10, 2023. File Image/Reuters")
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Communist Party leaders to strengthen self-discipline and closely monitor the actions of their family members and subordinates as part of an ongoing anti-corruption drive.
In a speech to the Politburo on Friday (December 27), Xi urged its 24 members to “resolutely fight against all forms of misconduct and corruption,” according to state news agency Xinhua. He stressed the need for party leaders to lead by example, engage in criticism and self-criticism, and adhere strictly to party rules.
Xi also called for unwavering loyalty to the party and selfless dedication to its cause and the people.
Crackdown targets high-ranking officials
Since taking power over a decade ago, Xi has spearheaded an extensive anti-corruption campaign targeting both high-ranking “tigers” and lower-level “flies.”
In 2023, approximately 610,000 party officials were disciplined, including 49 officials at or above the vice minister or governor level, according to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
The campaign has intensified this year, with a record number of senior officials under investigation. A recent tally by the South China Morning Post revealed that at least 56 cadres at the vice-ministerial level or higher are being investigated, with bribery cited as a major issue.
Last month, the defence ministry disclosed that an admiral who had served on the Central Military Commission, China’s top military command body, was under investigation for “serious violations of discipline.”
Challenges persist despite crackdown
Despite these efforts, corruption continues to plague the Communist Party, particularly among its upper echelons. Critics argue that the campaign has largely been a political tool to eliminate Xi’s rivals rather than a comprehensive strategy to eradicate graft.
Structural reforms to address systemic corruption have yet to be implemented– or even fully ideated– leaving the root causes of graft largely unaddressed. While the crackdown has removed numerous officials, its long-term effectiveness remains uncertain.
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More ShortsWith inputs from agencies