A stone statue of Chinese strategist and philosopher Sun Tzu, also known as Sun Wu, Sunzi or Sunzi, is displayed at The Art of War Ancient City in Huimin county, Binzhou city, east Chinas Shandong province, 25 June 2008.[Photo/IC]

Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese military strategist, once said that the art of war is of vital importance to the state. "It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin."

His remarks can also be used to describe today's anti-graft war in China and the country's venerable strategists may find their mantle inherited by the Central Committee of Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the Party's disciplinary watchdog.

A report by Qianjiang Evening News provides a glimpse of how the timeworn military tactics are adapted by CCDI to serve the present.

Lure the tiger out of the mountains: entice the corrupt officials to leave their base

Huo Ke, deputy director of the China National Tourism Administration, was removed from his post on Jan 16, 2015, only one month after his swearing-in. The report believes this is the classic move of ancient wits: to lure the tiger out of the mountains.

As the anti-corruption campaign goes on, many officials were put under investigation soon after they were assigned to a new post. Another example is Jiang Jiemin, former director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Jiang was investigated a half year after his assignment.

The move was a result of strategic calculation, the report said. Some "tigers"were at crucial posts with privileges in collecting information or even destroying evidence. To lure the officials out of their base will not only facilitate the investigation, but also create a fake impression of a "safe landing"for the wrongdoers and lower their guard.