China's anti-corruption campaign

The fight against corruption and with recent cases involving high-ranking officials, many eyes are now looking at how the ruling Party and government are cracking down on corrupt officials. Our reporter Hou Na takes a look at some of the achievements and challenges.

The anti-corruption campaign goes all the way to the top.

Recent cases have included high profile figures.

There are over 660,000 officials who have been punished for disciplinary violations in the past five years since the 17th CPC National Congress held in 2007 -- that's according to the Communist Party of China's anti-corruption bodies.

And more than 60 officials among them are at ministerial and provincial levels.

"Investigating corruption cases is a long-term task in the process of building a clean government. it requires further reforms in the legal and judicial sectors. The anti-corruption campaigns have achieved great success during the past years, but the war to fight against corruptions is far from over."

Procuratorial and the Party's discipline inspection authorities across the country investigated more than 640,000 corruption cases from November 2007 to June this year.

More than 630,000 cases have been resolved, according to a report released by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

It's a clear message sent by the government.

Gao Bo, Deputy Secretary-General, Chian Anti-Corruption Research Center, CASS, said, "China's anti-corruption campaign faces enormous challenges , both domestically and internationally. We should strengthen the disclosure of information, and expand international cooperation. "

Gao Bo has studied many high-profile corruption cases. He's written a book, giving detailed analysis.

He believes the push for more public supervision is gaining momentum.

Gao Bo, said, "One of the new trends of the anti-corruption campaign is the use of scientific and high-tech means. With the emerging power of new media, the public is able to better keep an eye on wayward government officials. "

Microblogging sites such as Weibo have definitely become a platform for many Chinese to voice their concerns. And this has gone all the way to the top, with 2011 named "The Year of Government Microblogging."

It's led to many micro-bloggers keeping a closer eye on the authorities.

Every year during the political season, the country's lawmakers and political advisors are acutely aware of just how serious corruption is.

The sheer number of cases being released indicate the intensity of the anti-corruption campaign.

But will punishment alone be enough to get to the root of the problem, and boost public confidence? Many people believe the problem calls for more fundamental reforms and regulations.