- The four-day session that started on Monday will give Xi Jinping an opportunity to further consolidate his grip on power following recent purges.
- The timing for this year's gathering is important because it is a year away from the next Party Congress, where a new set of priorities is set up and a new central committee appointed.
- The next Party Congress will almost certainly reappoint Xi as the country's leader, following the abolition of term limits.
- Past plenum sessions have been used to declare Xi as "the core" of the Party, abolish term limits which cleared the way for him to remain in power indefinitely, and elevate his personal philosophy – branded as "Xi Jinping Thought" – to the same level as Chairman Mao.
- This year's plenum is an opportunity for Xi to dictate strategy in the run up to the Congress, ensuring that views are aligned and delegates loyal.
- According to a readout from the powerful 21-member Politburo this September, the plenum will adopt a decision on "several major issues persistently advancing the comprehensive strict governance of the Party", which is being read as a way to further ensure obedience and effectiveness from distant party officials.
- The plenum is also a time of nervousness for delegates as they look around the room with its "empty chairs" following the scale of recent purges within the Party, where allegations of corruption, even "moral corruption", have seen large swathes of senior figures culled.
China's four-day plenum, which commenced on Monday, is a pivotal event for the ruling Communist Party, focusing on governance and discipline. This gathering, attended by around 300 Central Committee members, is crucial as it sets the stage for the upcoming Party Congress next year.
The session provides Xi Jinping with a significant opportunity to consolidate his power following recent purges that have left many senior officials removed from their positions. The Politburo's readout indicates that the plenum will address "several major issues persistently advancing the comprehensive strict governance of the Party," emphasizing the need for obedience among party officials.
Historically, plenums have been instrumental in reinforcing Xi's authority, having previously declared him as "the core" of the Party and elevated his ideology, known as “Xi Jinping Thought,” to the same status as that of Chairman Mao. The upcoming Party Congress is expected to reappoint Xi as the country's leader, especially after the abolition of term limits.34
As delegates gather, there is an atmosphere of unease, with many aware of the recent purges that have left "empty chairs" in the room. Allegations of corruption, including “moral corruption,” have led to significant culling of senior figures, making this plenum a critical moment for Xi to align party views and ensure loyalty ahead of the Congress.
“The plenum is set to adopt a decision on 'several major issues persistently advancing the comprehensive strict governance of the Party', a move to ensure obedience from distant officials. Delegates face 'empty chairs' following purges that culled senior figures on corruption allegations, including 'moral corruption'.”
BBC
