The Chinese Communist Party has launched an investigation of Zhou Yongkang, a former top party official in charge of state security, police, paramilitary and courts for "grave violations of discipline." Zhou, who was in the top echelon of the Chinese leadership until just two years ago, may be banished from the party and indicted.

The move is seen as part of President Xi Jinping's campaign against corruption. But concern is rising that the investigation of Zhou, who as a member of the standing committee of the party's politburo was the No. 9 official in former President Hu Jintao's leadership, may incite power struggles among factions within the Chinese leadership. To avert possible political confusion, Xi should strive to enact reforms that firmly establish the rule of law, which would be a more effective way of eradicating corruption and abuse of power by officials.

It was long the case in China that top officials were immune from criminal investigations, even after retirement, so the investigation of Zhou has caused political ripples there. If he is indicted on corruption charges, it will be the first such case since the People's Republic of China was established by the Communist Party in 1949 following its victory in China's civil war.