山頭主義(shan tou zhu yi): Factionalism

In the cases recently exposed in the nationwide anti-corruption campaign led by the top leader Xi Jinping, many senior corrupt officials have been found to have formed "corruption gangs" to shield each other, severely undermining the interests of the Party, as well as the people.

In local governments there are some interest groups linked by power among officials at various levels. Some senior officials regard national resources as their own property, regard power as their own tool to obtain wealth, and regard subordinates as their family retainers. Some subordinate officials attach themselves to the interest groups around some senior officials for their self-interest. Only those officials that belong to the interest groups will be promoted, which is highly likely to breed corruption among officials at different levels.

Xi and the Party are firmly against the spread of factionalism within the Party and making great efforts to arrest the phenomenon. Cracking down on the unhealthy tendency of factionalism within the Party and governments at different levels is key to deepening reform and achieving governance by rule of law in China.