China has launched a comprehensive nationwide initiative to combat corruption and misconduct at the grassroots level, where such violations most directly impact citizens’ daily lives and access to essential services. The campaign, prioritized in key policy documents including the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and this year’s Government Work Report, focuses on safeguarding public resources ranging from pension funds and medical insurance to agricultural subsidies and elderly care services.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and National Commission of Supervision (NCS) have identified specific high-risk areas requiring intensified oversight, including rural collective assets, healthcare funds, and high-standard farmland construction projects. Particular attention is being given to addressing irregular cross-regional law enforcement practices and profit-driven judicial misconduct.
Recent enforcement data reveals the campaign’s substantial reach, with over 290,000 cases investigated in 2025 related to violations of the central Party leadership’s eight-point decision on improving governmental conduct. Notably, 94% of these cases involved officials at township level or below, demonstrating the targeted approach toward local governance.
At a January review meeting, CCDI Deputy Secretary Liu Jinguo acknowledged the campaign’s progress while emphasizing persistent challenges. He called for enhanced interdepartmental coordination, clearer accountability mechanisms, and sustained enforcement pressure. Liu specifically stressed the importance of promptly returning illicitly acquired assets to affected citizens and strengthening systemic safeguards against future abuses.
A case study from Longlin county, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, illustrates both the vulnerabilities in current systems and the government’s response. Two officials who exploited social insurance loopholes to divert over 3 million yuan in pension funds received lengthy prison sentences and were ordered to make full restitution. Local authorities simultaneously held supervising personnel accountable and implemented systemic reforms to prevent recurrence.
According to Ji Yaping, Dean of the School of Administrative Law at Northwest University of Political Science and Law, while grassroots corruption may involve smaller sums than high-profile cases, its impact on public trust and welfare is disproportionately severe. “Fighting this kind of corruption strengthens people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security, and reflects the Party’s people-centered approach,” Ji noted.
The anti-corruption strategy combines punitive measures with preventive governance reforms, aiming to eliminate both the opportunity and motivation for misconduct. Future efforts will deepen oversight in critical livelihood sectors, expand investigations into improper law enforcement, and strengthen county-level governance mechanisms. Public participation through household visits, community engagement, and formalized feedback channels is being actively encouraged to enhance accountability.
Complementing these efforts, recently issued guidelines from the Communist Party of China Central Committee General Office mandate strengthened village inspections focusing on integrity risks in areas crucial to food security, agricultural subsidies, and public service delivery. This multilayered approach demonstrates China’s commitment to creating systemic barriers against corruption while ensuring the protection of vital citizen resources.
