In the most significant corruption case in China's history, Li Jianping was executed on Tuesday by the Chinese government. Jianping, a former official from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, was sentenced to death after being convicted of embezzling more than three billion yuan (about $421 million). The execution, which was carried out by a court in Inner Mongolia, was authorized by China's Supreme People's Court and reported by Xinhua News Agency.

Jianping, 64, had previously served as secretary of the Communist Party's working committee for the Hohhot Economic and Technological Development Zone. His death sentence was first handed down in September 2022 and reaffirmed in August 2024 after an appeal.

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, launched in 2012 shortly after he became China's president, has been one of the most ambitious and far-reaching political efforts in modern Chinese history. The campaign aims to eliminate corruption at all levels of government, the Communist Party, and state-owned enterprises, with a particular focus on high-ranking officials, known as "tigers," as well as lower-level operatives, or "flies."

Key Features of Xi's Anti-Corruption Campaign:

High-Level Accountability: Xi's campaign has led to the investigation and prosecution of numerous high-ranking officials, including members of the Politburo, ministers, military leaders, and executives in state-owned enterprises. Notable figures such as former security chief Zhou Yongkang and former Chongqing Party Chief Bo Xilai have been convicted of corruption-related charges.

Institutional Reforms: The campaign has also involved institutional reforms aimed at strengthening oversight. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), which Xi elevated, has become a key body in the anti-corruption effort. It investigates and disciplines party members accused of corruption.

"Clean Hands" Campaign: Xi has framed the anti-corruption drive as a necessary measure to restore the Party's legitimacy and eliminate the "unhealthy" influence of corrupt officials. He argues that corruption threatens the very survival of the Communist Party and undermines its credibility among the public.

Control Over Political Rivals: Critics have suggested that the anti-corruption drive also serves as a political tool for Xi to consolidate his power by targeting rivals and dissenting factions within the Party. Several high-profile officials who were seen as potential threats to Xi's leadership have been removed from power and prosecuted.

Public Perception: The campaign has generally been popular among the public, who have long viewed corruption as a pervasive problem in Chinese governance. Xi's actions have been praised for showing that no official is beyond accountability, increasing the Party's image of transparency and responsiveness.

Impact on Governance: While the crackdown on corruption has been hailed as a necessary step, it has also created a climate of fear within the Party, where officials may be more cautious in their dealings but also more inclined to suppress dissent. This has led to concerns over the centralization of power under Xi and the potential erosion of internal checks and balances.

Xi's Anti-Corruption Campaign: A Fight Against Corruption or a Power Consolidation Strategy?

In a speech to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection plenary session in January, excerpts of which were later published in the Communist Party's theoretical magazine Qiushi, Xi urged officials to take a decisive stand against corruption. He cautioned that interest groups could threaten the Communist Party's unity and emphasized the necessity of the Party undergoing a "self-revolution" to maintain its integrity and leadership.

Although significant efforts have been made, corruption cases involving high-ranking officials continue to rise. According to the South China Morning Post, the CCDI investigated 45 senior officials, or "tigers," last year. This year, the number has already increased to 54. 

Critics argue that the anti-corruption drive has also been used strategically by Xi to eliminate political opponents and rivals within the Party. By targeting prominent figures like former Politburo members, the campaign has helped Xi consolidate his power and neutralize potential threats to his leadership. Some see the campaign as selective, with those close to Xi remaining relatively untouched. This has led to accusations that the campaign is not about eliminating corruption but reinforcing Xi's dominance within the party structure.