IT is because of the commitment and sincerity of President Xi Jinping that China’s campaign against corruption is cited throughout the world as a role model in tackling an issue that remains a major concern for most of the countries around the globe. The successful campaign over the last ten years has helped promote the idea of good governance besides accelerating the pace of socio-economic development in the world’s largest (population-wise) country. The most striking aspect of this successful story of China is that President Xi is not complacent as was reflected by the remarks he made during session of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI, which he convened at the outset of the New Year to set out anti-corruption priorities for the year ahead, he highlighted the importance of maintaining a tough stance against corruption, stressing that in the continued grave and complex situation, there is no possibility of stopping, slackening or compromising the anti-corruption campaign.
Unbiased diplomatic circles and analysts acknowledge without any hesitation that under the leadership of President Xi an overwhelming victory has been achieved in the fight against corruption, with the gains fully consolidated. The persistent anti-corruption efforts over the past 10 years of the new era have helped remove serious hidden dangers in the Party, the country, and the military, and ensured that the power granted by the Party and the people is always exercised in the interests of the people. Some quarters argue that the relentless campaign might alienate the officialdom but the President, who launched the drive with the arrest of more than twenty ministerial and provincial level senior officials, is in upbeat mood to win the war against corruption at all costs as the country cannot achieve its destined and elevated position in the comity of nations without purging the society of the corrupt elements. There is clear evidence that the fight has already significantly transformed the behaviour of Chinese officials at various levels and has greatly enhanced public confidence in Xi’s leadership. The change in behaviour occurred mainly because of uncompromising attitude of the President as during the last one decade, corrupt officials were punished, ranging from high-ranking figures like Zhou Yongkang, Bo Xilai, Sun Zhengcai and Ling Jihua, to leading officials of ministries, state-owned enterprises, and key officials at the provincial and municipal levels, as well as low-ranking officials at the county and township levels. China’s sweeping fight against corruption has targeted every sector, including the military. Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou stood out as the most significant “military tigers” to fall in the fight against corruption. The campaign is going on in a systematic manner and during the first three quarters of 2023, discipline inspection and supervision agencies nationwide investigated 54 officials registered at and supervised by the CPC Central Committee, along with 2,480 officials at the department and bureau level and 20,000 at county and division level. There have been challenges and risks but President Xi’s determination is reflected by the remarks he made at the recent session of the top disciplinary agency where he said “We have weighed the consequences. However, we are unwavering in our commitment to the Party’s mission and purpose, as well as meeting the expectations of the people.” He also sent a strong message to all by expressing his resolve to “offend a few thousand rather than fail 1.4 billion” and waged an unprecedented battle against corruption, thus, forging a synergy in the Party’s self-reform. As health is a sensitive issue because of its direct relevance to safety and well-being of the ailing community, the President directed an year-round operation to unearth and check corruption in the health sector. At least 176 hospital presidents and party secretaries have been targeted in 2023, more than twice the number than in 2022 and the campaign covered the entire chain of production, circulation, sales, use and reimbursement in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as pharmaceutical administrative departments, industry associations, medical and health institutions and medical insurance funds. The fight against corruption covers all aspects including legal reforms, international anti-corruption cooperation and above all sustained inspections with a deterrent effect on the menace of corruption. In fact, the Chinese experience in tackling the menace of corruption can help other countries a lot in fulfilling their dreams about purging the society of corrupt practices.
