Anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping

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Anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping

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Systematic anti-corruption drive launched by Xi Jinping following the 18th CCP Congress in 2012.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

A far-reaching anti-corruption campaign was launched in China following the conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2012. Initiated by CCP general secretary Xi Jinping, the campaign became the most extensive and systematic anti-corruption effort in the history of CCP governance. The campaign began with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) conducting investigations and purging numerous high-ranking CCP and government officials, as well as People's Liberation Army (PLA) generals and heads of state-owned enterprises and institutions, for violations of discipline and law. Nationwide, disciplinary inspection and supervision departments at all levels of the CCP and government have investigated and punished CCP members and senior officials for violations of discipline and law. Upon assuming office, Xi pledged to crack down on both "tigers and flies", referring respectively to high-ranking officials and grassroots civil servants.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Most of the officials investigated were dismissed from office and faced charges of bribery and abuse of power, though the severity and nature of the alleged misconduct varied considerably. Administered primarily by the CCDI its Secretary from 2012 to 2017, Wang Qishan, alongside the relevant military and judicial bodies, the campaign has targeted hundreds of senior officials, including dozens of ministerial-level official and senior PLA officers, hundreds of deputy ministerial-level officials, several executives of state-owned enterprises, and five national leaders. The campaign has also led to strengthening of the CCDI apparatus within the CCP, as well as enhanced power over local Discipline Inspection Commissions. In 2018, the National Supervisory Commission was formed as the country's highest state supervisory body following a merger between various anti-corruption government departments, strengthening the CCDI's powers and reach. The campaign notably investigated both sitting and former national-level leaders.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

These included former Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) member Zhou Yongkang and former Politburo members and Central Military Commission (CMC) vice chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong. The campaign also targeted sitting Politburo members such as Chongqing CCP committee secretary Sun Zhengcai in 2017, CMC vice chairmen He Weidong and Zhang Youxia in 2025 and 2026 respectively. and former Xinjiang CCP committee secretary Ma Xingrui in 2026. As of 2023, approximately 2.3 million government officials had been prosecuted. The campaign formed a central component of a broader initiative aimed at curbing corruption within the CCP and reinforcing internal unity through a process termed self-revolution.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2012: 2012 Milestone — A far-reaching anti-corruption campaign was launched in China following the conclusion of the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2012.
2. 2017: 2017 Milestone — The campaign also targeted sitting Politburo members such as Chongqing CCP committee secretary Sun Zhengcai in 2017, CMC vice chairmen He Weidong and Zhang Youxia in 2025 and 2026 respectively.
3. 2018: 2018 Milestone — In 2018, the National Supervisory Commission was formed as the country's highest state supervisory body following a merger between various anti-corruption government departments, strengthening the CCDI's powers and reach.
4. 2026: 2026 Milestone — and former Xinjiang CCP committee secretary Ma Xingrui in 2026.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping

True or False: “The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) possesses inherent judicial authority to prosecute criminal wrongdoing independently of the state's legal system.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The CCDI is an internal party agency that investigates and must forward evidence to judicial organs like the Supreme People's Procuratorate to initiate charges.

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