Going after corruption is not new for China. The country has been chasing corrupt officials, from high ranking "tigers" to low-level "flies" over the past five years. Zheng Yibing reports.  

An iron fist against corruption with the numbers setting records. From 2013 to 2017, more than 250-thousand officials were investigated for suspected involvement in duty-related crimes, a 16.4-percent rise from the previous five years. Losses of over 55.3 billion yuan or around 8.7 billion U.S. dollars were recovered. And Chinese courts concluded graft cases involving 101 former officials at the provincial and ministerial level or above such as former security chief Zhou Yongkang and former Chongqing Municipality Party Secretary Bo Xilai.

ZHOU QIANG CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME PEOPLE'S COURT OF CHINA "We've maintained high pressure on graft and improved our judicial mechanism for handling job-related crimes."

Corruption at lower levels was also tackled. More than 62-thousand corrupt grassroots officers were charged, such as those in charge of local agriculture, housing demolitions, social welfare, and poverty alleviation. The intensified campaign also targeted suspects who fled overseas. Beijing has carried out operations like "Sky Net" and "Fox Hunt", and 222 fugitives of duty-related crime suspects have been brought home since late 2014.

WANG XIUMEI CRIMINAL LAW PROFESSOR, BEIJING NORMAL UNIVERSITY "Zero tolerance, zero loopholes, and zero obstacles. China's commitment to fighting corruption sends a key message: there's nowhere to hide for fugitives."

Since November 2012, China has intensified its anti-corruption measures, including disciplinary inspections and supervisory reform. Supervisory commissions at the provincial, prefectural, and county levels were formed to keep an eye on public officials. The national supervisory commission is also expected to be established at the ongoing first session of the 13th NPC.

ZHANG YESUI SPOKESPERSON, FIRST ANNUAL SESSION OF THE 13TH NPC "It aims to enhance the Party's unified leadership on anti-corruption campaigns and cover everyone working in the public sector who exercises public power.

ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "Officials said China's efforts aim to better protect human rights and uphold justice. Many believe the reforms will mean closer supervision of those exercising public power, and ensure the healthy development of Chinese society. ZHENG YIBING CGTN BEIJING."