Communist Party of China: Xi Jinping puts his party leadership in line

The top leadership of the Chinese Communist Party concluded a four-day closed-door session in Beijing on Thursday, issuing directives that prioritize absolute loyalty and heightened initiative among officials. During the fifth plenary session of the Central Committee, the party’s highest authority expelled thirty-three senior cadres from its ranks, marking the largest such purge in recent history. The resolution praised President Xi Jinping for his political courage and responsibility in addressing corruption and governance weaknesses. The document mandated the consistent advancement of strict party leadership, signaling that the anti-corruption campaign will continue to expand in scope and intensity. Xi, seventy-three years old and serving as both general secretary and head of state, has governed for nearly fifteen years. Upon taking power in 2012, he identified widespread corruption as the greatest threat to the party. That assessment has remained unchanged. The scale of personnel turnover illustrates the shift toward permanent disciplinary measures. When the current Central Committee began operations in 2022, it comprised more than three hundred and seventy members. By this year, that number had fallen to two hundred and seventy-nine. Recent dismissals include several military figures, notably General Zhang Youxia, who was previously considered a close ally of Xi. Historical analysis will likely determine whether his removal stemmed from bribery charges or political disloyalty. The party’s anti-corruption agency disciplined six hundred and eighty thousand party members between January and September of this year. This sustained enforcement has transformed temporary purges into a standing condition of political life. Local officials, many of whom earn modest salaries equivalent to a few hundred euros monthly, once displayed luxury goods and maintained extramarital relationships openly. Such excesses have largely disappeared. Today, the party maintains ideological presence throughout daily life. Large enterprises are required to host internal party cells, and university students compete for membership positions. Those who abuse power or accept illicit funds face severe consequences. Critics describe the current political climate as one of intense scrutiny. A recent investigation targets Huang Qifan, the former mayor of Chongqing. The seventy-four-year-old official has frequently engaged in public discourse through speeches and books. While no evidence of misconduct has been made public, the mere existence of an inquiry functions as a de facto condemnation within the Chinese legal framework. Analysts suggest that Xi views potential opposition and enemies in every corner of society. Absolute loyalty is now a prerequisite for survival in the political hierarchy. Xi recently addressed the issue of "two-faced" functionaries in a speech published in the party’s Qiushi Magazine in mid-October. He condemned individuals who publicly profess allegiance to central leadership while privately pursuing individualistic goals or opposing directives. He labeled these actors political opportunists. He also criticized officials who feign niceness and use harmony as an excuse to avoid addressing problems. These comments reflect a broader concern about internal division. Kerry Brown, head of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London, noted that Xi seeks to minimize sources of instability amid international tensions and domestic economic challenges. Brown argued that if the party lacks discipline and unity, it risks becoming fragmented and unstable, mirroring trends observed globally. A fundamental dilemma exists in this approach. Demanding innovation and courage from officials could weaken central control and potentially revive corruption. Conversely, emphasizing strict leadership and increasing pressure on rank-and-file members risks suppressing necessary initiative. This suppression could extend beyond the party apparatus to affect the military. Brown characterized the party as extremely risk-averse. He stated that unity ensures survival, whereas disunity leads to immediate collapse. This strategy appears effective currently because the Chinese economy, while not thriving, is not in disaster, and the external environment remains chaotic. Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, offered a different perspective on the demand for initiative. He observed that party functionaries under Xi operate within limited decision-making spaces. Consequently, the push for proactive behavior does not represent a major structural change. Chong explained that Xi expects officials to act decisively and proactively during the execution of specific tasks. However, he does not wish for them to think independently enough to question the prescribed agenda. The demanded proactivity is confined strictly to implementation rather than strategic decision-making. Xi appears prepared to sacrifice operational flexibility to secure greater control and stability. The upcoming restructuring of the party leadership in 2027 presents a critical phase in his political career. As the most powerful leader since the founding of the state, Xi is positioning himself for a fourth term. This period involves setting the direction for his continued rule. The combination of historical ambition and rigorous internal policing defines the current trajectory. The expulsion of thirty-three high-ranking officials serves as a clear signal of the stakes involved in maintaining alignment with the central leadership’s vision. The focus remains on eliminating dissent and ensuring that every level of government operates under unified command.