Lyu Xinhua, spokesman for the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, talks to media on the sidelines of a news conference on Monday. Wei Xiaohao / China Daily

No‘iron-cap princes’ are immune from scrutiny, spokesman tells journalists

China will continue its massive nationwide anti-corruption campaign, with no limit or ceiling and shielding no one, the spokesman for the country’s top political advisory body said on Monday.

“Over the past year, the Communist Party of China has made an all-out effort, adopted a zero-tolerance attitude and left no stone unturned in fighting corruption,” said Lyu Xinhua, spokesman for the third session of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

“Endeavors have been made to create a political climate in which officials dare not, cannot and wish not to commit corruption, and good progress has been achieved.”

Lyu said that in fighting corruption it’s important to deal with any and all of it. There will be no “iron-cap princes” that have immunity, he said.

Lyu made the comment when asked whether there might be “bigger tigers”, or high-level corrupt officials, brought down in the campaign.

“Iron-cap princes” refers to 12 special princes during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) whose princely titles were to be “passed on forever” through generations. Other princes’ sons could only inherit a title at a lower level.

President Xi Jinping has vowed to target both high-ranking “tigers” and lower-level “flies” in the anti-corruption drive.

The sweeping campaign has brought down a number of high-profile officials, including Zhou Yongkang, Xu Caihou, Ling Jihua and Su Rong.

The latest wave in the campaign has reached into the military. Xinhua News Agency said on Monday that 14 senior military officers are being investigated for suspected corruption, including the son of Guo Boxiong, who retired as vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission in 2013.

The news comes four months after Xu, one of China’s most senior former military officers, confessed to taking bribes in exchange for promotions.

Zhu Lijia, a professor of public management at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said the unlimited nature of the anti-corruption drive has been reiterated by top leaders including Xi and Wang Qishan, the head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

“It’s a clear signal that the drive will have no limits, no boundaries,” Zhu said. “Anyone has to be investigated if he or she is corrupt, no matter how high a rank he or she holds, no matter whether he or she has retired. Officials cannot have the idea they have a chance to get away with corruption.”

Zhu added that the CPPCC, as the top advisory body, can help to drive the anti-corruption campaign by giving suggestions.

Xinhua contributed to this story.