China tightens party rules and demands more loyalty from officials

Leadership of the Communist Party of China concluded a four-day meeting in Beijing on Thursday, focusing on internal discipline and the enforcement of central authority. The session produced a formal resolution that sets the tone for the party's next phase of governance and anti-corruption efforts.

The document, issued by the central committee, praised General Secretary and President Xi Jinping for his "enormous political courage and strong sense of responsibility" in addressing corruption and governance weaknesses. It instructed the party to "consistently advance comprehensive and strict Party leadership," signaling that the long-running crackdown on misconduct will continue with heightened intensity.

Xi has recently targeted a specific group of officials he calls "two-faced functionaries." In a speech published in mid-October in Qiushi Magazine, he described these cadres as "political opportunists" who claim loyalty to the center while pursuing individual goals. He also criticized leaders who act as "nice guys" to avoid conflict, arguing that such behavior allows problems to fester when decisive action is required.

Kerry Brown, head of the Lau China Institute at King's College London, interpreted the move as an effort to stabilize the political system amid international tension and domestic economic challenges. Brown told Deutsche Welle that the party believes a lack of discipline leads to instability. "If [the CCP] isn't disciplined and united, the party believes that it will go the same way as everywhere else in the world at the moment and become disunited and unstable," he said.

This strategy creates a tension between the need for initiative and the need for control. Brown noted that demanding innovation from officials risks weakening the party's grip, which could fuel corruption. Conversely, strict adherence to orders may suppress the very initiative the leadership is now demanding. Brown described the party as "very, very risk averse," suggesting Xi is willing to trade operational flexibility for stability.

Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, offered a different perspective on the demand for proactivity. He told Deutsche Welle that the space for independent decision-making among functionaries is already limited. "The 'proactivity' demanded by Xi is limited to the implementation, not decision-making," Chong said, indicating that the new push for initiative may not fundamentally alter how power operates within the hierarchy.

Observers also note that the emphasis on unity is tied to the succession question. Xi, who is 73, is expected to be reconfirmed as general secretary next fall. He removed term limits in 2018 and could hold the post until 2032. Brown said that speculation about a successor is inevitable and poses a risk to internal cohesion. "He can't go on forever," Brown added. Chong warned that naming a successor too early might undermine Xi's current authority, while waiting too long could create a power vacuum.

Brown concluded that the current approach of prioritizing unity over flexibility is effective for the moment. He noted that while the Chinese economy is not strong, it is not disastrous, and the global environment remains volatile. "It's not like the Chinese economy is disastrous. It's not great, but it's not disastrous. In any case, look at the outside world. It's a mess," he said.