China's ruling Communist Party said it punished nearly 300,000 officials last year for corruption, according to BBC News.

Some 200,000 officials were given what was called "light punishment", while more severe penalties were taken against a further 80,000.

President Xi Jinping has made a campaign against corruption a centerpiece of his governing agenda.

Many high-profile political figures have been jailed after being caught up in the net.

There are almost daily reports in the state media of officials being investigated or punished over allegations of bribery, abuse of power or other corrupt practices.

The reporting body - the Central Committee for Discipline Inspection - rarely explains its methodology or what evidence it considers, and no other details were given in its brief statement about the punishments.

The number of those caught in 2015 was released during China's annual parliamentary session.