Xi Jinping pushes Communist Party discipline ahead of fourth term

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 03:19 · Archive

China's leaders are meeting to discuss Communist Party discipline as Xi Jinping positions himself for an unprecedented fourth term.

China's political leaders have begun a four-day closed-door meeting to discuss strengthening Communist Party discipline as President Xi Jinping pushes for greater loyalty and reliability from officials. The gathering, known as the fifth plenum of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, comes roughly a year before Xi is widely expected to secure his fourth five-year term as party leader, with personnel changes to key leadership bodies expected.

The plenum is an opportunity for Xi to further align what Chinese officials do with what Beijing wants. According to Ruby Osman, a senior policy adviser at London's Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, 'the plenum is a chance to ensure the new generations rising the ranks share Xi's assessment of the opportunities and risks China faces'.

Xi's anti-graft drive has been a defining feature of his rule since 2012, with purges of officials carried out on a scale that led critics to argue the campaign was also used to consolidate his power. His focus has expanded to cracking down on underperforming cadres, and in recent years the number of officials punished for 'formalism' and 'bureaucratism'—misconduct such as dereliction of duty, inaction and reckless acts that hinder development—has surged.

The central committee will discuss a draft policy decision on advancing 'full and rigorous party self-governance'. Officials state the push could make cadres more disciplined, effective and less corrupt.

How it is being reported

• Xi seeking stronger Communist Party disciplineChina's leaders have begun meeting to discuss Communist Party' discipline and position President Xi Jinping for an unprecedented fourth term in office.Perth Now · 26 Oct, 02:48
• Xi seeking stronger Communist Party disciplineChina's leaders have begun meeting to discuss Communist Party' discipline and position President Xi Jinping for an unprecedented fourth term in office.The West Australian · 26 Oct, 02:48

In this story: Xi Jinping · Communist Party of China · China · Ruby Osman · Tony Blair Institute for Global Change · Xinhua News Agency

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem