The Chinese leader probably realises that most Chinese people will be cynical about the claim of "a serious campaign against corruption". But when he began the so-called "petro purge" at the state oil companies (highlighted by the sacking of Jiang Jiemin, chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation), Xi was praised for his move. One China-based academic has been quoted as saying: "This anti-corruption campaign looks like it's for real. A crackdown of this degree is unprecedented - and the level of officials getting investigated is getting higher and higher."