Editor's note: Su Ling is a research fellow and associate senior editor at the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The views expressed are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect those of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity. 

Corruption is a major hurdle and stumbling block to the development of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the nation. Yet, there are mixed views across society on the fight against corruption.

"Worms breed only in decaying matter," the saying goes. Combating corruption, building clean governance and preserving the Party's organizational health have long represented a clear political commitment of the CPC.

History provides ample evidence that if corruption is allowed to spread unchecked, it will ultimately lead to the collapse of both party and state. 

Corruption creates no social value whatsoever; it merely transfers public resources from the people into the pockets of a privileged few while driving up the institutional costs of market transactions. 

The question that truly deserves pondering has never been whether the fight against corruption holds back the economy. The real issue is that the "economic growth" spawned by unchecked corruption ultimately serves only the selfish interests of a privileged few.

Corruption is never a lubricant for the economy. It is a cancer eating away at the market from within. Short-term gains obtained through kickbacks and backroom deals come at the expense of legitimate businesses, squeezing their operating space and undermining fair competition. 

When resource allocation is based on personal connections rather than capability, law-abiding enterprises are forced to shoulder additional illicit costs. This steadily drains the market of its vitality, inflicting deep and lasting harm on the economy's long-term, healthy development.

"Remove one harmful weed, and countless crops flourish; punish one wicked man, and the people rejoice," the saying goes. Anti-corruption efforts are not a stumbling block to economic development. On the contrary, they serve as a ballast that ensures steady, sustainable economic growth over the long run. 

Pressing ahead with the anti-corruption campaign means closing off opportunities for rent-seeking, severing chains of benefit transfers and dismantling hidden market barriers, allowing all market actors to benefit from policy dividends equitably.

As the artificial prosperity once sustained by corruption fades away, it is proof that the economy is returning to a sound footing. Only by advancing the fight against corruption can China firmly safeguard fairness and justice in the market order and the social environment, making sure that the fruits of development genuinely benefit the people.

Facts have clearly shown that anti-corruption efforts are not a drag on economic development. It is precisely because the CPC has relentlessly pursued its anti-corruption campaign that China has achieved resounding economic and social progress while consolidating the overarching framework of reform, development and stability. 

China must remain uncompromising in the country's zero-tolerance approach to corruption, sustain strong pressure in the fight against corruption, and continuously improve people's livelihoods, thereby providing a steady stream of powerful impetus for high-quality economic development.

(Cover via VCG)