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What to know about China's plenum as Xi seeks stronger party discipline
NPR • • world
Key Points:
- China's Communist Party began a four-day closed-door meeting, the fifth plenum, focused on strengthening party discipline and advancing Xi Jinping's anti-corruption and loyalty campaign ahead of his expected fourth term as party leader.
- Xi emphasized "full and rigorous party self-governance" to make officials more disciplined, effective, and less corrupt, targeting not only corruption but also underperforming cadres accused of formalism and bureaucratism.
- Analysts note the plenum aims to ensure rising officials align with Xi's political priorities and to build a disciplined system for institutional longevity rather than merely purging rivals.
- Xi's extensive purges, including of top military officials, may be reflected in low attendance at the plenum, while tighter scrutiny on officials' compliance and use of technology to detect corruption are anticipated.
- The meeting is expected to reinforce Xi's authority and prepare the political ground for his unprecedented fourth term, with no clear hints at a successor emerging.
