Chinese leader warns of fight against corruption

China’s incoming president, Xi Jinping, has warned Communist Party officials about the need to fight corruption or risk ruining the country.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported details of a speech Mr Xi gave over the weekend to the new 25-member Politburo in which he said the party must be vigilant against corruption.

Mr Xi said that in recent years, countries where corruption prompted major public anger have experienced social unrest and regime collapse.

Mr Xi said: “The large number of facts tells us that if the problem of corruption becomes increasingly severe, it will lead to the ruin of the party and the country!”

Party leaders have often reiterated that corruption is a serious threat to their rule.