Xi Tightens Grip: 5th Plenum Purges, Promotes General, Targets "Unwritten Rules"

China's Communist Party has wrapped up its fifth plenum with a sweeping pledge to intensify its anti-corruption campaign and a significant military promotion, underscoring President Xi Jinping's push to consolidate authority and enforce strict party discipline.

The closed-door meeting in Beijing ended with officials vowing to crack down harder on corruption and demanding absolute loyalty to Xi [277320]. The party announced a new offensive against "unwritten rules"—informal practices that often lead to graft and backroom deals—and pledged to punish officials who violate them [277320][275347].

The plenum's communique stated that the party must "ensure that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity, or desire to commit corruption" [275336]. Senior officials stressed Xi's position that corruption remains a serious challenge requiring sustained pressure and targeted action [275347].

In a parallel move, General Zhang Shengmin, who led the military's anti-graft purge, was promoted to the Politburo, the country's top decision-making body [275336][274086]. The promotion places a military figure in a position of significant political influence and is widely seen as part of broader efforts to tighten control over the armed forces and ensure loyalty to the party leadership [274086]. The appointment comes about a year before Xi is expected to secure a fourth five-year term [274086].

Observers say the anti-corruption campaign, which has led to a record number of purges, has become an effort to consolidate and maintain authority [275167].

Separately, China has introduced a draft law calling for a fair and equitable global system to fight corruption, urging equal treatment among nations in anti-corruption governance [276880][276890]. The proposal signals Beijing's push for a greater role in shaping international rules on the issue [276880].