Editor's Note: 'Setting the Rules Straight: How the World's Largest Party Governs Itself' is a 12-episode video series offering an in-depth examination of how a century-old governing party, Communist Party of China or CPC, confronts its internal challenges and seeks to renew itself.

The series invites viewers to look beyond short-term political cycles and consider a fundamental question: What does it take to sustain effective governance over generations?

This episode explores why China fights corruption at every level, from top officials ("tigers") to grassroots cadres ("flies"), rather than choosing between the two. Backed by 157 months of transparent data and thousands of investigations across all ranks, the approach reflects a belief that public trust depends on accountability without exception.

When it comes to fighting corruption, should a country focus on bringing down powerful officials at the top, or tackling abuses of power at the grassroots?

Many countries seem to face a common dilemma: Some countries go after the big fish but leave the smaller ones alone. Others crack down on petty offenders but hesitate to confront those with real power and influence.

This is precisely why China emphasizes tackling both "tigers" and "flies."

You guessed it, tigers and flies are metaphors for officials at the highest ranking to grassroots levels and, of course, all those in between. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, first used these metaphors in 2013.

China is determined to combat corruption at every level. The approach is reflected in the latest resolution adopted at the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, which calls for firm action to "take out tigers" and "swat flies."

This has been an ongoing effort. Every month, in fact, China's top disciplinary authorities publish nationwide figures on disciplinary violations and misconduct. And they have done so for 157 consecutive months. In the first nine months of this year, investigations were launched against 73 officials at the provincial or ministerial level or above, as well as 79,000 current or former village Party chiefs and village committee directors.

These numbers span the full spectrum of public power: From senior officials making decisions at the top to grassroots officials dealing directly with ordinary people. Both matter. When tigers run rampant, it is because the cage has not been properly secured. When flies keep buzzing around, it is because the gaps have been left unsealed.

The aim is not to punish individuals but safeguarding people's trust and creating the conditions necessary for China's continued development. People are watching, the party in power must have the courage and capacity to hold its own officials accountable, no matter which ranking they may hold.