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

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

Over a week, thousands of delegates gathered in Beijing’s expansive Great Hall of the People for a pivotal event on the Chinese political calendar. The National People’s Congress, which wrapped up on Thursday, serves as an annual reflection of the nation’s direction and strategy. Yet, the scene was marked by the absence of several high-profile figures once close to Xi Jinping. About 100 delegates were missing from the opening session, all caught in a wave of recent dismissals. Their empty seats contrasted sharply with the party’s image of cohesive leadership, symbolizing the intensity of Xi’s anti-corruption drive.

Xi’s campaign began with his rise to general secretary in 2012 and has since targeted a wide range of officials, from top leaders to local administrators. The phrase “tigers and flies” encapsulates this dual focus, referring to both high-ranking elites and grassroots personnel. More than 14 years into the effort, the purge continues unabated. “The surprise is not that people are taking inducements or backhanders, the surprise is that there’s people that don’t do that,” remarked Kerry Brown, a professor at King’s College London.

According to state media, nearly one million individuals were disciplined in 2025 alone. In January this year, 10 “tigers” were removed from power, as reported by official outlets. However, Brown cautioned that the term “disciplined” spans a spectrum, from verbal reprimands to prison sentences and party expulsion. “It keeps people on their toes,” he noted, highlighting the campaign’s role as a management tool. The anti-corruption drive has become a central pillar of Xi’s rule, reflecting his determination to reshape the party’s internal dynamics.

Neil Thomas, from the Asia Society Policy Institute, explained that the initiative serves dual purposes: addressing corruption and eliminating political rivals. “Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has always been about both corruption and politics,” he said. The movement has also reinforced the party’s control, with leaders exerting greater influence over promotions and appointments. Despite early purges, systemic issues persist, as noted by the Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics). “Ranks and promotions were routinely up for sale, and bribery was rampant,” the think tank observed, emphasizing the challenge of rooting out graft without internal accountability mechanisms.

While the party attributes ongoing cases to the depth of its investigations, the campaign’s political dimensions remain evident. Xi’s focus on discipline has transformed the Communist Party into a more streamlined governing body, bolstered by his consolidation of authority. As China expands its global economic reach, investing heavily in advanced chips, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, the anti-corruption effort continues to shape both domestic and international perceptions of its leadership.