Corruption cases in 2012

China has seen a string of high profile corruption scandals in the past year. The downfall of former Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai, among others, has sent shockwaves across the political spectrum.

It was said to be the biggest political scandal in China in decades.

Former Chongqing Party secretary Bo Xilai, also a member of the powerful political bureau, was expelled from the Communist Party of China and removed from public office in September last year.

Investigations showed Bo had "abused his power, made severe mistakes and borne major responsibility" in an incident involving former Chongqing Vice Mayor and Police Chief Wang Lijun's entering, without permission, the US Consulate General in Chengdu. Wang is now serving a 15 year sentence for defection and bribe-taking among other transgressions.

Bo also stands accused of trying to cover up the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood by his wife Bogu Kailai, who was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for the crime in August last year.

Bo Xilai was also accused of taking bribes and maintaining improper sexual relationships with numerous women among other misconduct.

The CPC's central leadership has made an all-out drive to fight corruption since Xi Jinping was elected the top leader in November last year. Xi warned that corruption could lead to the "end of the party".

Less than a month after the leadership transition, nine government and party officials had been put under investigation by disciplinary inspecton authorities. They ranged from small-town department heads to provincial party leaders.

Last year on Nov. 23, Lei Zhengfu, former party secretary of Chongqing's Beibei District, was sacked shortly after a video appeared online that showed him having sex with his teenage mistress.

On December 5, Li Chuncheng: Deputy Party Secretary of Sichuan province, and an alternate member of the CPC central committee, was removed from his post due to serious disciplinary violations.

And just 2 days later, Li Yali, director of Taiyuan City's Public Security Bureau, was suspended amid allegations of a cover-up after his son was filmed in a confrontation with police when stopped for drunk driving.

All this, experts say, signals that the new Party leadership is ready to adopt a "zero tolerance" stance on abuses of official power.