PoliticsAhead of CCP’s Fifth Plenum: Why the pre-meeting anti-corruption drive, and what next for party discipline?

The CCP’s 20th Central Committee will hold its Fifth Plenum in Beijing from October 26 to 29, with comprehensive and strict party governance as its theme. Anti-corruption investigations have intensified ahead of the meeting, including probes of Jiangxi governor Ye Jianchun and retired former Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan. Analysts say the campaign has not effectively deterred corruption and reflects Xi Jinping’s challenge in disciplining the bureaucracy and ensuring policy execution. China has no clear successor; naming one could create a rival power center, while not doing so helps preserve Xi’s authority.

CCP Fifth Plenumanti-corruptionXi Jinpingsuccession

BBBC Chinese★★★☆☆2026-10-23 00:41Original