Strikes against corruption

The anti-corruption campaign launched by China's new leadership since taking office in November has culminated in the suspended death sentence delivered to Liu Zhijun on Monday for bribery and abuse of power.

According to the court's indictment, Liu, the former railways minister, was responsible for "huge losses of public assets". He also took advantage of his position to help 11 people win promotions or contracts and accepted 64.6 million yuan ($10.52 million) in bribes between 1986 and 2011.

The severe penalty meted out to Liu once again testifies to the leadership's determination to clean house and to improve the Party's public image.