Opinion | Effective rule of law must be end goal of China's corruption fight
Hu Shuli says legal, political, social and economic reforms must be carried out simultaneously to achieve a transformation of the system
It was not a coincidence that the investigation into the disciplinary violations of former senior party official Zhou Yongkang and plans to discuss law reforms at the fourth plenary session of the 18th Central Committee were announced on the same day, as they are directly linked and together could herald the start of a new phase in China's history.
Zhou is the highest-ranking official to be probed for corruption in the history of the Chinese Communist Party. He was once a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo and well-connected in the oil sector and in the Sichuan government. His fall from grace has shown the public the new leadership's determination to fight corruption at different government levels.
Some now think that the case signals the end of this round of anti-corruption purges while others believe the hunt for "tigers" will continue.
The latter is the most likely. It is a needed step, if legal improvements are to be made. Zhou's case will afford investigators greater insight into the extent of corruption and his treatment will act as a prime example of how corruption should be fought. This case will set a precedent for how the rule of law should be implemented comprehensively in fighting corruption.
The downfall of any corrupt official, big or small, will surely draw wide public attention. However, what is more important is to build a legal framework in the course of fighting corruption. Since corruption is inevitable at a time when China's economy is undergoing a process of rapid development and transformation, it is even more necessary to remain on guard against it. As such, the rule of law is the most powerful tool available to fight corruption.
While Zhou's corruption and that of his associates has shocked everyone, what has upset people even more is that it reveals weakening rule of law and a tarnished legal system.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection must now be strengthened and intra-party regulations reinforced. Simply relying on the party to clean itself up is not enough, which is why policymakers have set legal reform as the theme for the fourth plenum.