In the week following the conclusion of the 20th Central Committee’s fifth plenary session of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), a number of high-ranking officials, including Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Li Xi, and Wang Yi, took to state-run media to publish signed articles that have ignited speculation about their implications.
Wang Yi, who holds dual roles as the Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, published an article in the People’s Daily on November 6, titled “Central and State Agencies Should Forge a Strong First Tier.” This article seemed to echo statements made by President Xi Jinping during a meeting of the Politburo that occurred before the plenary session.
In his article, Wang emphasized the need to uphold the authority of the Central Committee, which he referred to as “one determined by a singular voice and thus finalized,” expressing unwavering loyalty and commitment to the party’s core leadership.
A piece published by the Hong Kong Economic Journal on November 7 analyzed Wang Yi’s article, pointing out its unusual focus. Historically, Wang’s signed articles have addressed foreign diplomacy rather than the inner workings of the central government. This shift raised questions: Is he speaking on behalf of the “first tier,” or is this connected to discussions regarding personnel assignments within the party?
The article suggests that this wave of signed articles from CCP officials serves a strategic purpose, with Wang Yi’s contribution representing a second wave of comments following a rare instance where members of the Politburo Standing Committee publicly expressed their views in sequence.
Following the fifth plenary session, the government published the “Decision on Several Major Issues Regarding Comprehensive and Strict Governance of the Party” and related explanations from Xi Jinping. Starting from November 3, there were three consecutive days of articles from members of the Politburo Standing Committee, including Wang Huning, Cai Qi, and Li Xi. Wang Huning and Cai Qi’s articles prominently highlighted “strict governance of the party,” while Li Xi focused on anti-corruption measures.
Chen Pokong, a seasoned political commentator in the United States, commented that these official statements from high-ranking figures look back to past events rather than forward to future developments. The timing and content of these articles were presumably coordinated with Xi Jinping, serving to endorse his leadership. This alignment may be rooted in the significant purges Xi has conducted within the party over the past decade, which have engendered discontent among party and military ranks. Thus, these statements are possibly Xi’s way of seeking validation for his actions—particularly as the “strict governance of the party” document indicates that his measures are aimed at preserving party integrity. It’s likely that Xi fears potential retribution after his health declines or if he were to step down or retire.
Shen Ming-chi, a researcher from Taiwan’s National Defense Institute, noted that Wang Huning, Cai Qi, and Li Xi might not continue in their positions due to age considerations and possible involvement in corruption scandals. Their articles in the People’s Daily appear to be declarations of loyalty, resonating with Xi’s remarks made during the plenary session. If more Politburo members publish articles in the future, it could suggest that everyone will be compelled to express support.
Chinese affairs expert Li Linyi remarked that on November 1, Xinhua News Agency publicly disclosed Xi Jinping’s introduction of the document from the fifth plenary session, revealing that Xi himself led the drafting team, with Wang Huning, Cai Qi, and Li Xi as deputy leaders. The articles published by these three officials can be interpreted as mere endorsements following Xi’s explanations, lacking significant implications on their own. However, Wang Yi’s article stands out as potentially indicating changes in personnel affairs in the future; speculation arises whether he might be seeking an extended term in office.
Li Xi’s article specifically called for a focus on investigating the intertwining of political and economic issues, political-business collusion, and the infiltration of capital into political arenas. The Hong Kong Economic Journal interpreted this as a signal of new anti-corruption campaigns on the horizon.
Shen Ming-chi noted that despite years of Xi’s anti-corruption efforts, numerous severe corruption cases still persist, highlighting that such corruption within the CCP is systemic in nature.
Chen Pokong further argued that Li Xi’s emphasis on addressing the intersection of political and economic corruption reiterates that economic misdeeds among CCP officials are secondary, with political corruption being the predominant concern. This implies that those within the party may be disloyal or even oppositional to Xi’s leadership.