No surprise some are cynical about anti-graft efforts

"Resolutely ban children of senior cadres from engaging in business activities. This will start from members of the Politburo, its secretariat, and the executive committee of the State Council to avoid conflict of interest".

Just imagine how such a proclamation would go down with mainlanders who are increasingly angry and vocal about rampant corruption involving high-ranking officials and their immediate family members.

Will the new Communist Party leadership under Xi Jinping set an example? That's the question on the lips of many mainlanders.

Since he was designated as the president-to-be nearly one month ago, there have been high hopes that Xi will take the resolute steps needed to tackle corruption, which he says could doom the party and the state if not curbed.

Over the past month, hardly a day has passed without reports of officials being detained or sacked for corruption from Anhui to Xinjiang . Li Chuncheng, former deputy party secretary of Sichuan, has become the first deputy ministerial level official and the first alternate member of the new Central Committee to fall from grace because of corruption allegations.

Last week, the new Politburo moved to ban extravagance and reduce bureaucratic visits and meetings involving its 25 members as part of efforts to adopt a more down-to-earth work style and to win back trust of the people.

In his first inspection trip beyond Beijing, Xi set an example in Shenzhen where he avoided over-the-top ceremonies and tight security arrangements accorded to his predecessors, and displayed a common touch on his walkabouts.