Tigers and flies’: Millions of officials later, why is Xi’s corruption purge still going?

By Suraj Karowa/ANW March 14 2026

Xi Jinping’s relentless anti-corruption campaign, now over 14 years old, continues unabated despite disciplining millions of officials, raising questions about its true aims amid recent high-profile military purges.

Empty seats at the National People’s Congress (NPC) in March 2026 highlighted absent delegates, underscoring the campaign’s intensity even as China projects unity.

Campaign OriginsLaunched in 2012 upon Xi’s rise as Communist Party general secretary, the drive targeted “tigers and flies”—elite leaders and low-level bureaucrats alike.

Corruption was rampant in China’s vast party apparatus of over 100 million members, fueled by low official pay and unchecked elite power.

Predecessor Hu Jintao warned it could erode public support, prompting Xi’s vow to eradicate it.

Early shocks included the 2012-2013 downfall of Bo Xilai for embezzlement and murder, followed by arrests of top security chief Zhou Yongkang and Hu’s aide Ling Jihua.

By 2025, nearly one million were disciplined; January 2026 saw 10 more “tigers” fall. Critics note “discipline” ranges from warnings to imprisonment, yet the scale reveals systemic graft.

Persistent ChallengesGraft persists due to absent checks and balances, with promotions often sold and bribery common, even post-initial military purges.

State media claims deeper digging uncovers more cases, but experts like Kerry Brown argue the party lacks external accountability.

Military ranks, revamped under Xi, remain hotspots—ranks and promotions were “routinely up for sale.”

In 2025-2026, investigations spiked in key sectors like tech, AI, and defense, which receive massive funding for U.S. rivalry.

Corruption here threatens Xi’s vision of “national rejuvenation,” amplifying scrutiny. Professor Brown calls it a “corporate clean-out” to enforce discipline amid economic slowdown and youth discontent.

Power ConsolidationBeyond graft, purges enforce loyalty, ideological purity, and unity—Xi fears Soviet-style collapse from party fractures.

Analyst Neil Thomas describes it as dual-purpose: purifying governance while eliminating rivals.

Recent targets include Xi allies like Generals Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, purged for “serious violations,” shrinking the Central Military Commission (CMC) from seven to two members, Xi included.

Since 2022, 52% of PLA leadership has been hit, with 14 full generals probed in three years.

October 2025 ousted nine CMC-linked generals; January 2026 removed Liu Zhenli and Zhang.

Official rhetoric stresses “no hiding place,” tying purges to political disloyalty.

Xi chairs the CMC since 2012 to ensure control, avoiding predecessors’ lingering influence.

Military FocusThe PLA stands out: purges decimated senior ranks during Xi’s third term, blending corruption probes with loyalty tests.

CSIS data shows deeper impacts than reported, targeting Rocket Force and defense ministers.

Premier Li Qiang vowed continued “political rectification” at the NPC. Zhang’s fall, as Xi’s former second-in-command, signals “nobody is safe,” entering his inner circle.

Analysts like Helena Legarda cite post-purge narratives framing it as disloyalty to Xi’s goals. Xi’s January 2026 warning: officials face existential stakes, as party loss means total ruin.

Broader ImplicationsAs Xi’s third term nears its 2027 end amid U.S. tensions and 7% defense hikes to $270 billion, purges tighten control.

Professor Frank Pieke sees corruption charges as Xi’s power base, narrowing his circle to loyalists.

Thomas notes: the more powerful Xi grows, the more he purges. This sustains his legacy but exposes vulnerabilities in a party hyper-aware of risks.