The Fifth Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is currently taking place in Beijing. This important gathering, which brings together about 300 members of the Central Committee, is expected to influence the composition and face of the Party in the coming years. Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Party, is seeking to consolidate his power and enforce "strict discipline" within the Party during this closed-door session.
An Opportunity to Consolidate Power
This four-day meeting, which began on Monday, allows Xi Jinping to further solidify his position following recent purges. Plenary sessions, which are typically held annually, are highly confidential, and their decisions are usually released only after the conclusion of the meeting.
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The timing of this gathering is particularly significant due to its proximity to the Party's next congress. In this congress, which will take place in a year, new priorities will be set, and a new Central Committee will be appointed. Although the Central Committee officially elects the Party's senior leaders, the actual process of this selection remains opaque.
Concerns and Consequences of the Purges
During this meeting, representatives look with concern at the empty seats in the hall, a result of recent purges within the Party. Allegations of corruption, and even "moral corruption," have led to the dismissal of many senior figures. Experts believe that the use of the term "moral corruption" is aimed at suppressing any form of disloyalty to Xi Jinping.
According to published reports, of the 44 military members appointed to the Central Committee in 2022, only two have not been dismissed. In the Central Military Commission, which is the only body managing China's armed forces, the number of members has also decreased to two: Xi Jinping and another general. This plenum presents an opportunity for Xi Jinping to appoint new officers to this body.
The attention to this meeting and its details clearly reflects the priorities of China's rulers. From past plenums, Xi Jinping has been introduced as the "pivot" of the Party, and term limits for the presidency have been abolished, paving the way for him to remain in power.
Ultimately, this plenum allows Xi Jinping to set his strategies ahead of the next congress and ensure that views and representatives within the Party act in a coordinated manner.
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