China Plenum Opens for Four Days

Xi Jinping has convened the Fifth Plenum of the Communist Party, a four-day session that began on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on Thursday. The gathering brings together approximately 300 members of the Central Committee in Beijing. State media indicated that the meeting will pave the way for stricter discipline within the Party's ranks.

The timing of the session is strategic, occurring one year before the next Party Congress. That upcoming assembly will set new national priorities and appoint a new central committee. Although the Central Committee officially selects the Party's top leadership, the internal selection process remains secret. The next Congress is expected to reappoint Xi as the country's leader, a move facilitated by the recent abolition of term limits.

Past plenums have been used to solidify Xi's authority. Previous sessions declared him the core of the Party, removed term limits, and elevated his personal philosophy to a status comparable to that of Chairman Mao. This year's meeting offers Xi an opportunity to dictate strategy in the lead-up to the Congress. The goal is to ensure that views are aligned and delegates remain loyal.

The specific location of the meeting has not been publicly announced. Historically, plenums have been held at Beijing's Jingxi Hotel. In September, the 21-member Politburo issued a readout stating that the plenum would adopt decisions on several major issues. These issues persistently advance the comprehensive strict governance of the Party, a move interpreted as a method to ensure obedience from distant officials.

Delegates attend the session amid heightened nervousness. Recent purges have removed large numbers of senior figures, leaving empty chairs in the room. Allegations of corruption, including moral corruption, have led to the culling of many high-ranking members. Experts suggest that moral corruption charges are used to crack down on perceived disloyalty to Xi, as disloyalty to the Party can be framed as a breach of morality.

The plenum also presents a chance for Xi to appoint new officers to the Central Military Commission. This seven-man body runs China's armed forces but has been reduced to only two people: Xi and one other general. The Asia Society Policy Institute estimated that of the 44 military members appointed to the Central Committee in 2022, only two remain. A detailed document summarizing the decisions will be made public after the session ends.

The next step in the political calendar is the publication of the summary of decisions and the more detailed document following the Thursday conclusion of the plenum.