How-to China: China's further development hinges on sustained anti-corruption efforts - Expert

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The cause of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation depends on whether the ruling Communist Party of China can further push forward its campaign to build Party integrity and fight corruption, according to Xia Lu, an expert studying the history of the CPC.

In an interview with China Daily, Xia reviewed the Party's achievements in its sweeping anti-graft drive since its 18th National Congress, which has formed an atmosphere in which no officials dare to engage in corruption.

He also debunked the conspiracy theory that the anti-graft campaign is a political witch hunt.

The following are excerpts of Xia's interview with China Daily.

Q: Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, what measures has the Party taken to fight corruption? And what has been achieved in the anti-corruption campaign?

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the central authorities have launched an intensive and extensive anti-corruption campaign, hunting tigers (high-ranking officials) and swatting flies (low-level bureaucrats) at the same time. The Party has also fought the "four forms of decadency" - formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance - to improve the conduct of officials.

There are two levels of strategies in the anti-corruption campaign. The first level is the basic strategy, the routine strategy. The second level involves fostering an atmosphere in society that make people conscious of the healthy behaviors of the officials.