Xi Stresses the Need to Win the Fight Against Corruption in China

Corruption has long been one of the most dangerous internal threats facing modern China. From bribery and abuse of power to deep-rooted patronage networks within the Communist Party, corruption has undermined public trust and threatened political stability. That is why Chinese President Xi Jinping’s repeated insistence on “winning the fight against corruption” is not just rhetoric—it is a cornerstone of his leadership and governance strategy.
As China navigates economic slowdown, geopolitical pressure, and domestic uncertainty, Xi’s message is clear: the battle against corruption is far from over, and failure is not an option.
Why Corruption Is a Critical Issue for China
Corruption in China is not merely a legal or moral problem; it is a political one. For a one-party system that derives legitimacy from performance and discipline, corruption directly challenges the authority of the Communist Party.
Before Xi came to power in 2012, public anger over corrupt officials had reached worrying levels. Lavish lifestyles, misuse of public funds, and unchecked local power created a growing gap between party elites and ordinary citizens. This environment posed a long-term risk to social stability—something the Chinese leadership views as an existential concern.
Xi’s solution was decisive: a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that would target both high-ranking leaders and low-level officials alike.
“Tigers and Flies”: Xi’s Signature Campaign
One of the most famous phrases associated with Xi’s leadership is his pledge to go after both “tigers and flies”—a metaphor for powerful senior officials and minor bureaucrats.
Over the past decade, the campaign has led to:
The investigation and punishment of hundreds of thousands of officials
The downfall of senior party figures once considered untouchable
A culture of fear and discipline within government institutions
By stressing the need to “win” this fight, Xi signals that corruption is not a temporary challenge but a permanent threat that must be continuously controlled.
Power, Discipline, and Party Survival
Critics outside China often argue that the anti-corruption drive doubles as a political purge, eliminating rivals and consolidating Xi’s power. While this interpretation is widely debated, it misses a crucial point: discipline is central to the Communist Party’s survival strategy.
For Xi, corruption weakens loyalty, undermines governance, and erodes ideological unity. In a system without electoral competition, internal discipline replaces democratic accountability. The anti-corruption campaign serves as a mechanism to enforce obedience and ensure that officials align with central leadership.
In this sense, Xi’s emphasis on corruption is not only about clean governance—it is about control.
Public Support and Popular Appeal
Despite concerns from international observers, the campaign has enjoyed significant domestic support. Many ordinary Chinese citizens view it as long overdue, especially after decades of rapid growth that enriched elites while leaving inequalities unresolved.
Highly publicized investigations send a powerful message: no official is above the law. This narrative strengthens Xi’s image as a leader willing to confront entrenched interests for the sake of national integrity.
Public trust, in turn, becomes a political asset—one that Xi carefully cultivates through strong language and visible enforcement.
Economic Consequences of Anti-Corruption
The anti-corruption drive has also had economic side effects. In some sectors, officials have become overly cautious, delaying decisions out of fear of investigation. This phenomenon—often described as “policy paralysis”—has slowed local governance and investment approvals.
Yet Xi appears willing to accept these short-term costs. From his perspective, unchecked corruption poses a far greater long-term risk to economic sustainability and investor confidence.
By institutionalizing anti-corruption mechanisms, Beijing aims to create a more predictable and disciplined administrative environment—even if it takes time to adjust.
A Message to the Party—and the World
Xi’s renewed emphasis on fighting corruption also sends a message beyond China’s borders. At a time when Western democracies grapple with political scandals and institutional mistrust, Beijing presents its model as one of order, discipline, and centralized accountability.
Whether or not this model appeals globally, it reinforces China’s narrative of governance efficiency and internal strength. Corruption, in Xi’s framing, is not a flaw of the system but a challenge the system is capable of correcting.
Why Xi Says the Fight Must Be “Won”
Language matters in Chinese political culture. By framing corruption as a “fight” that must be “won,” Xi elevates the issue to the level of national survival. This framing justifies extraordinary measures, continuous oversight, and permanent vigilance.
It also ensures that the campaign does not end with a single victory. Winning, in this context, means maintaining pressure indefinitely—turning anti-corruption into a defining feature of governance rather than a temporary policy.
What Comes Next for China
As Xi continues to consolidate authority, the anti-corruption campaign is likely to become more institutionalized rather than less intense. New regulations, internal party inspections, and digital oversight tools suggest the fight will evolve, not fade.
For Chinese officials, the message is unmistakable: loyalty, discipline, and obedience are non-negotiable. For citizens, the campaign offers reassurance that abuses of power will not go unchecked—at least in principle.
Final Thoughts
Xi Jinping’s insistence on winning the fight against corruption reflects more than a desire for clean governance. It reveals how power, legitimacy, and discipline intersect in modern China. In a system built on centralized authority, corruption is not just misconduct—it is a threat to the political order itself.
Whether viewed as reform, control, or both, the anti-corruption campaign remains one of the most defining elements of Xi’s leadership—and a key lens through which to understand China’s future.