Ever since China’s new leader Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption drive 20 months ago, most observers have been wondering how far and high would he go.
Now we have the answer. On Tuesday, the Chinese Communist party announced that Zhou Yongkang, the former Politburo Standing Committee member and internal security chief, has been formally placed under investigation for serious corruption. Although Mr Zhou was reportedly detained in December, it remained unclear until this week whether Mr Xi would initiate formal disciplinary proceedings against him. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, the Chinese leadership has observed an unwritten rule: incumbent or retired members of the Politburo Standing Committee are untouchable.
By ensnaring a senior official of Mr Zhou’s standing, Mr Xi apparently seeks to accomplish several objectives. To the Chinese people, Mr Xi hopes to offer reassurance that he is working hard to cleanse the rot inside the party. To his rivals, the downfall of Mr Zhou sends a clear warning: jail awaits those daring to challenge my authority (Mr Zhou is an ally of the now-disgraced former Politburo member Bo Xilai, Mr Xi’s adversary during the leadership transition). To everyone else, Mr Xi shows that he is now unquestionably the most powerful Chinese leader since Deng Xiaoping.