Under China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, many “tigers" have been caught during the two sessions. Jing Chunhua, a senior official in north China's Hebei Province, is one of them. He has been put under investigation for "suspected serious discipline and law violations" on March 3. Why did the Chinese government choose to catch “tigers” during the two sessions?

Deterrence

Most of the NPC deputies and CPPCC members who attended the two sessions are local officials or senior representatives in various industries. Catching a “tiger” during the two sessions provides deterrence and sound an alarm bell to officials. The aim is to urge leaders to discipline themselves.

Show determination to fight corruption

The anti-corruption campaign since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China shows the government’s determination to fight corruption. 68 high-level officials have been investigated in the past two years. Among them former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Zhou Yongkang was expelled from the Communist Party of China. Just one day before the two sessions the military authorities released a list of 14 generals who have been investigated or convicted. These moves clearly show China’s resolution in anti-corruption.

Bolster public confidence in Chinese Communist Party and government.

Catching “tigers” during the two sessions indicates that the government will never tolerate corruption. As long as there is corruption, the government will hunt the “tigers”. This conforms to the expectation of Chinese people and boosts their confidence in the Chinese Communist party and the government in the fight against corruption.

This article was edited and translated from 《"两会"期间"打虎"有何深意？》, source: People's Daily Online