- Xi Jinping intensifies anti-corruption drive, targets high-ranking “tigers”
China on Tuesday executed Li Jianping, a former senior official from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, following his conviction in the nation’s largest-ever corruption scandal, involving illegal gains exceeding $421 million.
Li, who served as the Communist Party Secretary for Hohhot’s economic development zone, was sentenced to death in September 2022. The Supreme People’s Court upheld the verdict in August 2024, and the execution was carried out after final approval, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
Historic Case of Graft
Li’s case, labeled the largest corruption scandal in Chinese history, centered on embezzling three billion yuan ($421 million). Earlier reports revealed that an intermediate court found him guilty of systematically siphoning funds during his tenure. The massive sum underscored the deep-rooted corruption within the system, a challenge President Xi Jinping has vowed to eliminate.
Xi’s Anti-Corruption Campaign Tightens Grip
Since assuming power in 2012, Xi has made eradicating corruption a cornerstone of his governance. His campaign, described as targeting both “tigers” (high-ranking officials) and “flies” (lower-level cadres), has punished over one million Communist Party members, including two former Defense Ministers and dozens of military officials.
In January, during a Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) session, Xi urged party members to confront corruption head-on. A speech released by party magazine Qiushi reiterated his call for a “self-revolution” within the party to prevent interest groups from exploiting its structures.
Record Investigations in 2024
The crackdown continues to intensify, with the CCDI launching probes into 54 senior officials—breaking last year’s record of 45. Xi’s anti-graft efforts, particularly within the military, have drawn global attention, though critics argue the campaign also strengthens his political control.
Li’s execution sends a clear message that corruption at any level will face the harshest consequences. However, as investigations into high-ranking officials reach unprecedented levels, questions remain about the campaign’s long-term impact on governance and political dynamics in China.
