Xi Jinping’s corruption crackdown in the spotlight as China prepares for meeting of top leaders

Chinese President Xi Jinping has convened the fifth plenum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in Beijing, a four-day gathering focused on tightening internal discipline and intensifying the anti-corruption campaign. The meeting, which began on Monday, October 26, brings together approximately 300 senior party officials to address what state media describes as "major issues on advancing the party’s full and rigorous self-governance." As the highest-ranking political assembly occurs roughly a year before the 21st Party Congress, observers view the session as a critical indicator of the nation’s future leadership structure and policy direction. The primary objective of the plenum is to reinforce loyalty and eliminate perceived threats to the party’s stability. State news agency Xinhua reported that Xi presented a draft decision outlining strategic plans for strengthening party self-governance. This terminology serves as a proxy for enforcing strict adherence to central directives and rooting out corruption. The timing is significant, as the upcoming national congress next year is expected to see Xi, aged 73, secure a historic fourth term as party leader while overseeing a substantial reshuffle of key leadership bodies. Analysts suggest the intense focus on discipline reflects ongoing frustration with the effectiveness of previous purges. Although Xi launched a sweeping anti-corruption drive upon taking power in 2012, investigations remain relentless. Last year alone, disciplinary authorities initiated probes into more than one million individuals, including over 100 officials holding ministerial or provincial-level positions. Despite these efforts, the pace of investigations shows no sign of slowing. Kerry Brown, director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London, noted that in Xi’s worldview, corruption and political disloyalty are often indistinguishable. He explained that within the CPC framework, spiritual corruption, defined as political disloyalty, is treated with equal severity as material graft. The current climate is marked by high-profile investigations targeting senior figures in both the civilian government and the military. In January, Zhang Youxia, China’s top general and second only to Xi in the military hierarchy, was placed under investigation. He was subsequently expelled from the party and removed from the military’s top ruling body. The anti-corruption drive has also toppled five other senior military leaders recently. These actions underscore the breadth of the crackdown, which extends beyond economic misconduct to include allegations of political opportunism and individualism. In a speech published by state media in January prior to this week’s meetings, Xi criticized "two-faced" officials who outwardly comply with directives but inwardly resist them. He accused some cadres of pursuing personal interests at the expense of the party’s goals. Neil Thomas, a senior fellow at the Asia Society, argued that corruption is an inherent feature of an authoritarian system governing 1.4 billion people through a sprawling bureaucracy. Thomas stated that while Xi has reduced corruption and strengthened his control, he recognizes that stricter punishments alone cannot solve the issue of officials prioritizing personal gain. Consequently, Xi views anti-corruption as a permanent method of governing with no definitive endpoint. The composition of the Central Committee attending the plenum reflects the impact of these purges. Eight seats within the committee currently stand vacant, and another 15 members face active investigations that put their positions at risk. This situation has resulted in what analysts describe as the lowest turnout for a plenum since the death of former leader Mao Zedong in 1976. The absence of these figures creates uncertainty regarding the final lineup for the next five-year cycle. Political experts emphasize that plenums serve as vital mechanisms for Xi to consolidate authority. Unlike Mao Zedong, who often bypassed formal structures to eliminate rivals, Xi relies heavily on the party’s formal institutions to maintain power. Previous plenums have successfully aligned emerging leaders with Xi’s assessment of national opportunities and risks. Ruby Osman, a senior policy adviser at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, noted that this meeting provides another opportunity to ensure that new generations rising through the ranks share the president’s perspective on the challenges facing China. The agenda marks a departure from traditional patterns. Historically, fifth plenums have focused on managing China’s semi-planned economy. However, this session centers exclusively on party self-governance, encompassing both anti-corruption measures and political loyalty. This shift suggests concerns that the long-running campaigns have not yet achieved their intended results. The generation of leaders elevated to replace previously purged officials has faced similar accusations of corruption, prompting further scrutiny. Details from the closed-door sessions, held under tight security, are limited until the meeting concludes on Thursday. Few specifics regarding policy decisions or personnel appointments have been released publicly. The gathering is being monitored closely for signals regarding how the party intends to manage its internal dynamics in the lead-up to the national congress. The emphasis on rigorous self-governance indicates a continued effort to maximize efficiency and loyalty among cadres through increased supervision and rule enforcement. The political landscape remains tense as the party seeks to project unity and strength. Xi has previously warned that the party could lose its ruling status and be eliminated by history if it fails to rectify internal problems. With the next congress approaching, the outcome of this plenum will shape the trajectory of China’s leadership and its approach to domestic governance. The focus on eliminating risks to authority and party credibility remains a central priority for the top brass as they navigate the complexities of maintaining control over a vast bureaucratic apparatus.