Chinese President Xi Jinping briefed members of the Communist Party’s Central Committee on a governance draft Monday, centering the four-day meeting on corruption controls and the party’s ability to govern.
Xinhua said the draft covers the party’s governing capacity, corruption and complacency within its ranks. In a commentary, the state news agency urged stronger safeguards and practical follow-through on central decisions, arguing that rules cannot improve governance unless officials apply them. It framed the anti-corruption drive as a sustained effort to deter misconduct. Xinhua described the campaign as signaling greater predictability to investors and policymakers worldwide and said cooperation abroad should rest on transparency, merit and the rule of law.
Closed-door deliberations are due to continue through Oct. 29. It is the fifth plenum since the current Central Committee took shape in 2022; the committee is one of the party’s top decision-making bodies. The Politburo agreed Sept. 21 to send members a draft decision on Party self-governance. Its announcement framed the review as an assessment of earlier governance, pressures facing Party building and work ahead, but did not publish the draft or detail proposed rule changes. EconoTimes previously covered the Sept. 21 decision to circulate a draft.
Reuters reported that Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has removed hundreds of senior officials and top generals, including former allies. The outlet also reported that critics view the purges, particularly among the armed forces’ highest ranks, as destabilizing and harmful to combat readiness. The party has defended the effort as necessary to improve discipline, including in the military.
Reuters cited analysts who said the plenum may be the last major party gathering before a leadership reshuffle in 2027. The outlet reported that Xi is expected to retain the top post for a fourth term. Reuters also described the meeting as part of Xi’s effort to reinforce his authority and maintain ideological uniformity within the party.
