China’s political meeting could let Xi tighten discipline across the Party

A significant meeting before Congress

The closed-door session of the Party’s central committee began on Monday and is due to end on Thursday. Such meetings take place at least once a year. This year’s timing matters because the next Party Congress is a year away. That congress will establish new priorities and appoint a central committee.

Xi’s influence and Party discipline

The meeting gives Xi Jinping an opportunity to strengthen his position after recent purges. The next Party Congress is expected to reappoint him as China’s leader, following the end of term limits.

Past plenums have declared Xi the Party’s core, removed presidential term limits and elevated Xi Jinping Thought to the level of Chairman Mao. Experts have viewed appeals against moral corruption as a means of targeting perceived disloyalty to Xi.

Purges and uncertainty behind closed doors

The meeting’s location has not been announced. Previous plenums have taken place at Beijing’s Jingxi Hotel. Recent purges have left delegates facing what the report describes as empty chairs. The seven-member Central Military Commission, which runs China’s armed forces, has been reduced to Xi Jinping and one other general.