Xi Jinping's Anti-Corruption Campaign: A Decade of Transformation

London, United Kingdom Aug 25, 2026 ALN: The South China Morning Post has launched a major data project diving into President Xi Jinping’s signature anti-graft campaign. In the first part of a series accompanying the data project, Phoebe Zhang looks at how the campaign became one of the Communist Party’s most important policies.

In the early years of President Xi Jinping’s first term, when graft fighters were taking down senior officials in ways that raised eyebrows, Chinese authorities constantly had to remind the public that the anti-corruption campaign was not “just a gust of wind.” The phrase itself became emblematic of the skepticism surrounding the initiative, as many citizens questioned whether the campaign would yield lasting results or simply serve as a political tool to eliminate rivals.

At that point, Beijing had already locked up dozens of senior officials, including Zhou Yongkang, a former member of the Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee, the highest echelon in China’s political hierarchy. Before his downfall in 2013, Zhou had been one of China’s most influential politicians, overseeing the country’s vast security apparatus. His arrest was significant, not only because of his high rank but also because it signaled a shift in the political landscape, suggesting that even the most powerful figures were not immune to the law.

Concerns were so widespread that the anti-corruption push would be a flash in the pan, especially at the local level, that Wang Qishan, then the party’s top anti-corruption chief, warned that local governments might fall back on temporary “movement-style” crackdowns. This terminology refers to previous campaigns in China’s history that had been characterized by their abruptness and lack of sustained focus, often resulting in short-lived impacts and little genuine reform.

A decade later, few need convincing as the anti-corruption fight expands, netting record numbers of senior officials and unearthing new types of graft involving cryptocurrency schemes and clandestine proxies. The evolution of the campaign reflects a broader transformation in the Chinese political landscape, where the emphasis has shifted from merely addressing corruption to implementing systemic changes aimed at preventing it. The introduction of technology and data analytics into the anti-corruption framework has allowed for more sophisticated monitoring and investigation methods, diversifying the types of corruption that can be detected.

A new analysis by the South China Morning Post found that the campaign has widened since its inception. Last year, anti-corruption agencies handed down punishments to 983,000 people, with the fallout ranging from mild warnings to investigations and criminal prosecution. The staggering number of individuals implicated underscores the pervasive nature of corruption within the system and the government's commitment to addressing it. The number of senior officials taken down last year was three times that of 2013, indicating a significant escalation in both the scope and intensity of the campaign.

The data bank project also found that from 2013 to 2025, 60 percent of senior officials felled by China’s anti-corruption drive were serving in regional governments. This statistic reveals a targeted approach by the central government to root out corruption at local levels, where it is often perceived to be most rampant. The campaign has hit provincial administrations particularly hard, with resource-rich areas – notably Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shanxi, and Hebei provinces, as well as Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region – recording the highest number of dismissals. These regions have been historically significant due to their economic contributions and resource availability, making the stakes of corruption particularly high.

The implications of Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign extend beyond mere statistics. The campaign has been framed as a means to restore public trust in the Communist Party, which has faced criticism for corruption and mismanagement over the years. By demonstrating a willingness to hold high-ranking officials accountable, the government aims to bolster its legitimacy and reinforce its narrative of a clean and just ruling party.

Moreover, the anti-corruption campaign has significant implications for the power dynamics within the Communist Party itself. It has been perceived as a tool for Xi Jinping to consolidate power, as many of those targeted have been perceived as political rivals or remnants of previous administrations. This has led to a climate of fear among officials, who may feel compelled to demonstrate loyalty to the current leadership to avoid being implicated in corruption investigations.

However, the campaign has also faced criticism, with some arguing that it has been used selectively to eliminate political adversaries rather than to genuinely address corruption. Critics point out that the focus on high-profile cases often overshadows systemic issues that contribute to corruption, such as lack of transparency and accountability in government processes. Furthermore, there are concerns that the campaign may inadvertently create an environment where officials are more cautious and less willing to take risks, potentially stifling innovation and effective governance.

In conclusion, Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has transformed over the past decade from a skeptical initiative into a cornerstone of governance in China. While it has resulted in significant numbers of officials being punished and has raised awareness about corruption, the long-term effectiveness of the campaign remains to be seen. The challenge for the Communist Party will be to ensure that the fight against corruption evolves into a sustainable effort that not only addresses the symptoms but also the root causes of corruption within the political system.