Anti-corruption campaign shows broad power of NDRC officials

The central government's ongoing crackdown on corruption has hit hardest against the National Development and Reform Commission, with 19 officials from the State agency placed under investigation on suspicion of bribery from May 2013 to September 2014.

The recent flurry of corruption cases offers a glimpse into the power that NDRC officials wield. As the nation's top economic planner, the department sets broad economic policies, approves major investments, mergers and acquisitions, and has the authority to influence commodity prices.

Among the most recent NDRC officials detained on suspicion of bribery, five are from the commission's pricing department.