Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign in 2024 hit a new record, with 56 senior officials—all at vice-ministerial rank or higher—being placed under investigation. This marks a nearly 25% increase from the 45 high-ranking officials investigated in 2023, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
These investigations are headed by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), China’s top anti-corruption watchdog.
The campaign’s scope has widened, with corruption cases in top party organs and ministries doubling in 2024. Notable increases were also seen in the aviation and defense industries. However, corruption cases in the finance sector—a major focus in 2023—have declined. Four senior state bankers were investigated this year, compared to eight in the previous year.
Heightened scrutiny on central agencies
Twelve of the 56 officials detained this year held roles in the central Communist Party and state agencies—double the number in 2023. This indicates a growing emphasis on targeting corruption within the top echelons of the party apparatus and ministries.
Since launching his anti-corruption drive in 2012, Xi has pursued a relentless campaign to root out both high-level “tigers” and low-level “flies.” The military, particularly the PLA Rocket Force responsible for overseeing China’s nuclear arsenal, has been a focal point of this effort.
Challenges within the PLA
Corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continue to pose significant challenges to Xi Jinping’s rule in China. These issues are more than a financial burden for Xi; they undermine the effectiveness of China’s armed forces at a time of rising geopolitical tensions. Xi’s vision to transform the PLA into a global military powerhouse hinges on addressing these internal vulnerabilities.
Critics argue that Xi’s consolidation of power may exacerbate corruption, as centralized authority and a lack of institutional checks allow malpractices to flourish. The opaque nature of China’s political and military systems further complicates efforts to measure the extent of corruption or its impact on military capabilities.
The anti-corruption purges are reshaping the power balance within the PLA and the broader Communist Party. Even senior loyalists are not immune, as evidenced by the investigation of high-profile figures like Miao Hua, a key player in the PLA Rocket Force.
