Sun Zhengcai , once one of the bigger names in Communist Party of China, was removed from the position of party head of Chongqing in July and is being investigated for corruption charges. Almost reminiscent of Bo Xilai’s dramatic fall the entire campaign seems reeking of a purge than a crack down on corruption.
In a nation where everything belongs to party and favours of the party can make one billionaire, the entire idea of prosecuting individuals for exchanging flavors is structurally flawed. Xi Jinping’s anti-graft campaign can well be seen as a way of consolidating his position within CPC and with the PLA.
Investigations by the party’s disciplinary bodies are not part of the state judicial system. When an official is detained for an investigation, known as Shuanggui, they are essentially placed under house arrest and are isolated from the outside world. The subject often must endure days of grueling interrogation. At the end most of those investigated end up owning up the conviction. The announcements, often at the end of months of interrogation only tell the world that the said party men took a bad line and that they have been removed from the party. While the convicts may or may not be punished further – the details of the case are almost never made public.
As such the systemic weakness is neither exposed nor amended to prevent further exploitation for personal benefits.
Under such circumstances it can be safely assumed that President Xi Jinping is ready to face his next CPC congress with massive support. And where the support is missive, anti graft officials are hot on trail
