The iron fist over power in China, starting with meals, gifts, and trips

How does China conduct systematic, continuous oversight of power? The answer is to confine power to institutional cages.

A key player in this system is the discipline inspection commission. Within the organizational system of the Communist Party of China, discipline inspection commissions are the bodies responsible for internal oversight. Their duties include supervision, discipline enforcement, and pressing for accountability. One point must be made clear: they perform their duties in accordance with the CPC’s internal regulations.

Under the unified leadership of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), China has gradually built an anti-corruption system led by the CPC, in which disciplinary supervision for party members and organizations, supervision for public officials, resident supervision, and inspection tours work in coordination. The CCDI and the National Supervisory Commission operate together, achieving full supervision of all public officials who exercise power—both CPC members and non-CPC officials. Their division of labor is clear: discipline inspection bodies focus on internal Party supervision and clean governance, while supervisory organs oversight over all public officials. This system does not wait for "major cases". It starts with the smallest things—one meal, one drink, one use of a government car, one gift card. Through public disclosures, holiday inspections, and targeted checks, the "nails" of discipline are hammered one by one.

What if the issue goes beyond discipline violations and involves suspected crimes? Under the Implementation Regulations on China's Supervision Law, Party members and public officials suspected of disciplinary or legal violations are investigated by discipline inspection and supervisory bodies. If a crime is suspected, the case is transferred to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution. For non-Party members or non-public officials suspected of bribery or joint duty-related crimes, supervisory organs may also open investigations according to law and decide whether to transfer the case to judicial authorities. This is how the rule of law is reflected in China's anti-corruption efforts.

What about the results? The data speaks. A 2022 survey by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that 97.4 percent of the public believed that full and strict Party self-governance had achieved remarkable results—22.4 percentage points higher than in 2012. A super-large ruling party, with the courage to turn the blade inward for reforms, has used institutions and discipline to drive a systemic reshaping of Party conduct, government behavior, and social norms. Today, when people seek services from public authorities, they no longer think about offering "tips" or gifts. And when officials make decisions, they no longer weigh personal gain, but put the public interest first.

China's ruling party offers the world a solution to the global challenge of corruption: start by restraining one's own conduct, prevent political decay through constant self-reform, and win public trust through discipline.