Xi Rejects Criticism of Anti-Graft Campaign, Says Its Economic Impact Is Positive

Chinese President Xi Jinping has strongly defended his 14-year anti-corruption campaign, asserting that it has had a "positive impact" on the country's economic development while rejecting criticism that the crackdown is hurting business confidence and growth.

"If full and rigorous self-governance has had an impact on economic and social development, it has been positive, not negative," Xi said at the recently concluded plenary meeting of the ruling Communist Party, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.

Xi, who assumed leadership of the Communist Party in December 2012, argued that strict internal discipline ensured fair competition in markets, encouraged innovation and entrepreneurship, and prevented corrupt practices from undermining public interest.Vowing to maintain the crackdown, he said the party would not retreat or hesitate despite future challenges and uncertainties.

The campaign has resulted in more than 8.1 million corruption cases being filed and 7.922 million people being punished since 2012, according to enforcement figures released last week by Zhang Fuhai, a senior official of the party's anti-corruption watchdog.

The military has been among the worst-affected institutions, with more than 135 senior military officials purged, missing or under investigation, according to a study by the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The latest party meeting also confirmed the expulsion of 33 senior officials, including former top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.Xi's campaign has faced criticism that it is being used to consolidate his hold on power and has contributed to weakening business and economic sentiment.

Meanwhile, China's economic growth has slowed considerably from its earlier high-growth phase. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently lowered its 2026 growth forecast for China by 0.1 percentage point to 4.5 per cent, citing sluggish domestic consumption, weakening investment and continued stress in the property sector.

The IMF said strong exports had only partly offset weakness in domestic demand, raising concerns over the sustainability of China's growth.