China expanded its controversial anti-corruption probe to focus on every official in the country

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

• China has created a new anti-corruption agency that can investigate any government employee in the country, including managers who work in schools, hospitals, universities, and state-run companies.
• The National Supervision Commission works outside the court system, and can hold suspects for up to six months without granting access to a lawyer.
• Corruption has been widespread in China, and can be linked to the concept of ‘guanxi,’ that considers close relationships to be crucial for accomplishing business.
• But experts say the commission is abusive, and will undermine efforts to thwart corruption and grow the economy.

China has officially established a new anti-corruption agency that can investigate any government official in the country.

Since coming to power in 2012, President Xi Jinping spearheaded an anti-graft crackdown on the 89 million-strong Communist Party. In that time, 1.5 million members have been punished.

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