The South China Morning Post has initiated a comprehensive data project aimed at evaluating the impact and reach of President Xi Jinping’s long-standing anti-corruption campaign. As part of this series, reporter William Zheng investigates the potential correlation between regional resource wealth and the intensity of graft investigations in those areas.

China’s less developed regions, often characterized by desolate landscapes like the Gobi Desert or remote mountain ranges, contain significant mineral deposits. These resources, including coal and various critical minerals, are essential to the national economy. The investigation seeks to determine if the presence of these valuable assets creates a specific environment that fosters corruption, thereby drawing more scrutiny from central authorities under the current administration.

While the project focuses on data-driven analysis, the core question remains whether the 'resource curse'—a theory suggesting that resource-rich nations or regions often experience slower economic growth and higher levels of corruption—is a primary driver for the enforcement patterns seen in Xi’s campaign. The report highlights that these regions are not only geographically isolated but also play a vital role in the country's energy and industrial supply chains. By mapping these anti-graft efforts against regional economic data, the series attempts to move beyond anecdotal evidence to understand the structural factors influencing where and why corruption investigations are concentrated. The analysis is part of a broader effort to provide transparency into the mechanisms of the campaign, which has been a hallmark of Xi’s leadership since he took power.