Thousands of delegates recently gathered in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for the annual session of the National People’s Congress.
The meeting is one of the most important political events in China. It outlines the country’s policies and priorities for the coming year.
However, many seats were empty during the opening session. Around 100 delegates were missing. Many of them had been removed or disciplined during a continuing anti-corruption purge.
This absence highlights the ongoing crackdown led by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
A Campaign That Began in 2012
Xi launched his anti-corruption campaign in 2012 after becoming the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.
At the time, corruption had become a major concern within the party. The Communist Party has more than 100 million members and millions of officials across the country.
According to Kerry Brown from King’s College London, corruption had spread widely because many officials held strong power while earning relatively modest salaries.
Former Chinese leader Hu Jintao also warned that corruption could damage the party’s support among the public.
Xi responded by launching a sweeping campaign to remove corrupt officials and strengthen party discipline.
Targeting “Tigers and Flies”
The campaign targets both powerful leaders and lower-level officials. Chinese authorities often describe this effort as going after “tigers and flies.”
High-ranking officials represent the “tigers,” while local officials represent the “flies.”
One of the most dramatic cases occurred in 2012 and 2013. Senior politician Bo Xilai fell from power after a major scandal involving corruption and murder allegations.
Another powerful figure, former security chief Zhou Yongkang, was later arrested. He once led China’s vast security system.
In 2016, Ling Jihua, a close aide to Hu Jintao, also received a life sentence for corruption.
Millions of Officials Disciplined
Over the past decade, the campaign has punished millions of officials across China.
According to China’s top anti-graft body, nearly one million people faced disciplinary action in 2025 alone.
In January this year, state media reported that ten senior officials—often called “tigers”—were removed from power.
Experts note that “disciplinary action” can include several outcomes. Some officials receive warnings, while others face prison sentences or expulsion from the party.
Despite these differences, the campaign remains a central part of Xi’s leadership strategy.
Strengthening Party Control
Analysts say the anti-corruption drive plays a key role in strengthening discipline inside the Communist Party.
Professor Kerry Brown explains that corruption has long existed within such a large political organisation.
Still, Xi continues to push the campaign forward. His government presents the crackdown as a way to protect public trust and maintain stability within the party.
More than a decade after it began, the campaign remains one of the most significant political initiatives in modern China.
