The Persistent Anti-Corruption Drive Under Xi Jinping’s Leadership

Since Xi Jinping ascended to leadership in 2012, he has committed to eradicating corruption throughout the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A decade later, the intensity of anti-corruption investigations remains notable, with the disciplinary authorities launching probes against over 1 million individuals in the past year alone, including more than 100 high-ranking officials at the ministerial or provincial level.

Focus on Discipline and Loyalty

This week, the CCP convened for an important meeting themed around discipline and loyalty within the party. As party members gather, discussions reveal a growing concern regarding the perceived lack of strict adherence to these principles among officials.

The fifth plenum, which commenced on Monday, is expected to deliberate on significant issues surrounding the party’s self-governance, with a particular emphasis on discipline, loyalty, and ongoing anti-corruption efforts. In the context of the CCP, “governance” often translates directly to maintaining party loyalty and discipline.

Corruption Versus Political Loyalty

Xi’s relentless campaign raises questions about the motivation behind investigations, particularly whether the targeted individuals are genuinely corrupt or merely political opponents. Kerry Brown, director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College London, suggests that within Xi’s framework, corruption intertwines closely with political loyalty: “If you’re corrupt, you’re not politically loyal. If you’re politically loyal, you’re not corrupt,” he notes.

Brown elaborates that in the CCP’s operational view, corruption extends beyond material gain to encompass “spiritual corruption,” referring to any form of political disloyalty.

Corruption as an Inherent Challenge

Analysts point out that systemic corruption may be an inherent aspect of an authoritarian regime characterized by hierarchical bureaucracy governing a vast population. Neil Thomas, a senior fellow at the Asia Society think tank, observes: “Xi has made the party less corrupt and strengthened his control, but he knows that tougher punishment cannot fully resolve the problem of officials putting their own interests ahead of the party’s.”

Thomas argues that Xi’s strategy to combat corruption involves an ongoing tightening of discipline, establishing anti-corruption measures as a key method of governance without a clear endpoint.

The Significance of the Fifth Plenum

The fifth plenum presents an opportunity for the CCP to realign its focus on discipline, as it forms part of the series of meetings typically held in a five-year cycle leading up to the Party Congress. During this gathering, over 300 senior officials of the Central Committee convene to address pivotal issues.

Notably, this plenum may be one of the last major gatherings before the 21st Party Congress next year, where a new Central Committee will be appointed, and Xi is anticipated to secure a fourth term at the helm of the CCP.

Combatting Potential Threats

As Xi aims to eliminate all threats to his authority and the party’s legitimacy, he has escalated investigations against senior officials, including military leaders. Recently, Zhang Youxia, the top general and a crucial military figure, was investigated and subsequently expelled from the party.

The Central Military Commission (CMC), which is typically composed of seven members, has been reduced to just two due to multiple high-profile purges, namely Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin, who is responsible for discipline within the military.

Implications of Ongoing Purges

Other notable figures facing scrutiny include Ma Xingrui, the former party secretary for Xinjiang, and Huang Qifan, the former mayor of Chongqing, who escaped past scandals but has now been removed from his position.

While some analysts speculate that the recent high-level purges signify instability within Xi’s regime, he may view them differently—as a demonstration of authority. Kerry Brown emphasizes that these corruption investigations serve as a straightforward mechanism to enforce unity and discipline within the party.

In reflecting on the overarching narrative of the CCP, Xi has articulated concerns that failure to address internal corruption could result in the party losing its grip on power. As he stated, “the party could lose its ruling status and inevitably be eliminated by history.”

As the focus on party governance continues, the implications of this relentless anti-corruption effort suggest a complex interplay of discipline, loyalty, and power dynamics within the CCP.