The View | Transparency and strong rule of law are key to fighting corruption

Corruption is a drag on economic development as well as a cause of inequity, so it is perhaps not surprising that China's anti-corruption campaign seems to be getting a robust, if not bloodthirsty, endorsement on social networks.

Online comments under reports on the downfall of once-powerful officials and businessmen are quite often along the lines of "those greedy bastards deserve it".

During one trial that ended with a death penalty, the blog Shanghaiist wrote that mining tycoon Liu Han, who broke down sobbing on the stand, "continued to deny all charges against him, despite the fact that his brother pleaded guilty in court the day before and that his notably ugly crying face gives way to little sympathy".

Taking a guilty plea at face value - in a country with a 99.9 per cent conviction rate - shows either a deep faith in China's prosecutors, or a deep-set belief that power and corruption are inevitably entwined.

To be sure, even those who do not trust the mainland's judicial system may still reckon that a random or politicised purge is better than none at all, as it sends a frightening message to officials who otherwise would be grafting away.

But ultimately, the most effective way to reduce systematic corruption is to establish a strong, reliable and transparent rule of law.