In many countries around the world, 2026 is an election year. Corruption is a key issue in many of those elections and may prove decisive in the outcome of some. It is widely recognized as a global problem, and governments are right to prioritize fighting it.

Many countries understand the basic formula for combating corruption: a comprehensive, three-pronged strategy of deterrence, prevention and education. This approach, first developed in Hong Kong and now reflected in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, is widely regarded as the standard; and many anti-corruption agencies globally have modeled their structures and core strategies on this three-pronged approach. Yet few jurisdictions can claim sustained success. One crucial ingredient is often missing: the strong political will and leadership to keep the campaign on track.

Many international anti-corruption experts have observed that corruption in China has declined significantly since Xi Jinping became general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in 2012. They attribute this largely to Xi’s determination to fight corruption and strengthen the Party’s self-governance. The anti-corruption campaign he initiated has placed particular emphasis on deterrence. Since 2012, China’s discipline inspection and supervisory organs across the country have investigated more than 8 million suspected corruption cases, and disciplined or punished more than 7 million people.

The recently concluded four-day fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in Beijing offered a striking example of the country’s political commitment. How many countries would bring together their top leaders to discuss, in detail, how to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms and improve the governing capacity of the ruling party?

At the meeting, Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important address. The session adopted a resolution to persevere in full and rigorous Party self-governance, emphasizing that strengthening the Party must be understood in the broader context of consolidating its long-term governance and realizing national rejuvenation.

The communique adopted on Oct 29 after the meeting noted that the CPC Central Committee gave a highly positive assessment of the Party’s achievements in exercising full and rigorous self-governance in the new era. It said that deep-seated problems that had plagued the Party for years had been remedied, and serious dangers within the Party, the State and the military had been removed. The communique also said the Party had found two answers to escaping the historical cycle of rise and fall: the people’s oversight over government, and the Party’s self-reform. It described these as distinctive contributions of the CPC that would stand out in the history of Marxist parties.

The session set out systematic plans for continuing full and rigorous Party self-governance. These include improving conduct and enforcing discipline on an ongoing basis; taking firm, coordinated action against corruption; governing the Party through systems and regulations; and refining Party and State oversight systems. The communique emphasized the need to take integrated steps to ensure that officials do not dare to commit corruption, have no opportunity to do so, and do not want to do so. The plans also include strengthening education to encourage officials to serve the public interest, benefit the people, make sound decisions and take concrete action — producing achievements that stand the tests of practice, public judgment and history.

The communique also confirmed the expulsion of 33 people from the Party, including former senior officials such as Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. This was presented as a demonstration of the leadership’s determination to tackle corruption regardless of rank or position.

The ongoing anti-corruption campaign, along with the recent meeting, sends a clear message: China’s efforts are not merely a political spectacle or a short-term campaign, but a long-term policy priority. The stated goal is to eradicate corruption and strengthen governance. China’s strategy also appears to be moving toward a more rules-based and transparent system, with greater emphasis on public accountability.

Persistent ideologically driven criticism in Western media has shaped some people’s impressions of the CPC, and may leave them with an incomplete understanding of the Party. The CPC is the world’s largest political party, with 101 million members. Membership involves a rigorous selection process. The Party also enjoys a high level of public support, as some Western surveys have found. Its internal discipline and governance have helped enable China’s rapid transformation over the past four decades — from a low-income country to the world’s second-largest economy.

The CPC has developed a model for fighting corruption and strengthening public officials’ self-governance and executive capability. It could share its experience with other countries. Exchanges on this issue would allow other countries to learn from China’s experience and better understand the CPC.

These insights could also apply to civil servants in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This may be worth considering as part of the reform following the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire in November 2025, particularly in efforts to strengthen public-service values and officials’ commitment to public service.

The author is a retired deputy commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and an honorary fellow of HKU Space and Hong Kong Metropolitan University.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.