Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- In China , a sex scandal is often more than just a sex scandal -- because it often involves public money . So jilted mistresses have stepped forward as graft-busters in China 's crackdown on corruption . Consider the fate of Liu Tienan . The party official lost his job earlier this year after a former mistress revealed he had embezzled $ 200 million from banks . `` They have become the most effective way in combating corruption , '' says social commentator and author Lijia Zhang . `` And when these mistresses become the most effective way , that means the government crackdown has n't been very effective . '' China 's anti-corruption drive has targeted so-called `` tigers and flies '' -- the powerful leaders and lowly officials who are defrauding the nation . Party at stake . With the very legitimacy of the Communist Party at stake , the fight against graft has been a main focus of Chinese President Xi Jinping , with his anti-corruption tsar Wang Qishan at his side . But how effective has it been ? Putting aside the widely publicized fall of Bo Xilai , which is viewed by many as the result of an internal power struggle , the Party has yet to make a significant number of high-level corruption take-downs . `` Xi Jinping has only caught one tiger , a very powerful former head of the China National Petroleum Corporation ( CNPC ) , '' says political analyst and scholar Willy Lam , referring to Jiang Jiemin , the former CNPC chief , who also held massive control over China 's state-owned firms . China-watchers are keeping a close eye on a far bigger beast -- China 's high-ranking ex-security chief , Zhou Yongkang . `` At least half of the vice-ministerial and ministerial levels who Xi Jinping has brought to justice have close connections to Zhou Yongkang , '' Lam tells me . `` This is an important litmus test as to whether Wang Qishan and Xi Jinping are willing to break certain conventions . `` Because there is one well-known convention within the Communist Party ... former and current officials of the Politburo Standing Committee are untouchable . '' No rule of law . They are untouchable due to the lack of checks and balances in China . `` It 's like if a person is ill , he takes his own pulse , prescribes his own medicine , he takes an X-ray on himself and then -- if need be -- he will operate on himself , '' says Reuters ' Beijing-based correspondent Benjamin Lim . `` That 's not possible , but that 's what is happening in China . '' China 's political elite is also untouchable thanks to China 's lack of rule of law . `` There is no rule of law , so people who have good 'guanxi , ' people who have good connections with the co-called 'red aristocracy ' -- or top officials -- can grease the palms of the officials to get things done and jump the queue , '' says Lam . Without the rule of law or a powerful independent organization against corruption , prospects for reform in China are dim . `` There will not be meaningful real reform , '' says Zhang . `` Because general reform will require a leader who will have courage and will hurt the interests of his family and friends . '' `` Xi Jinping has to become strong in order to reform , '' adds Lim . `` But of course if he becomes strong , he may not reform . '' Easy targets . Meanwhile , the Party fixes its focus on lower , easy-to-reach targets -- going after petty officialdom with an austerity drive targeting luxury spending . `` At the end of the day , Xi Jinping 's policy of restricting conspicuous consumption , putting an end to banquets and six star hotels , is popular , '' says Lam . `` Nonetheless , regarding big-time corruption that means the passing of the envelope and greasing the palm through a billion-yuan kickback -- all of this continues to go on . '' China 's war on corruption is merely the swatting of flies .
Jilted mistresses have become key players in exposing graft . Fighting is a key policy of Chinese party Xi ##e . Campaign has not been effective , with few high - profile targets . Party increased its focus on petty officialdom , with lavish banquets and gifts .