Is China's anti-corruption drive a symptom or cause of economic weakness?

Anti-corruption drive implications

Jeremy Thomas, co-manager of the Brunner investment trust, analyses the true economic impact of China's anti-corruption campaign.

When politician Bo Xilai was arrested in March 2012, shortly before president Xi Jingping took control of China, the story caused political shockwaves. However, it was seen as an isolated incident. Bo Xilai was a senior member of the Chinese Communist party, considered for promotion to the Politburo, and eventually sentenced to life in prison.  At the time many felt a scandal of organised crime, bribery, lavish consumption, and murder was something that embarrassed the authorities, and an issue they tackled reluctantly. Three years later and it is clear the anti-corruption campaign presi...