As the 20th Third Plenum approaches, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has begun to tighten its grip on the entire party.
On June 17th, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CCP issued the “Key Content on the Amendment of Political Disciplinary Punishments in the ‘Disciplinary Regulations of the Communist Party of China’,” with the title “Strictly Enforcing the Party’s Political Discipline, Resolutely Safeguarding the Central Authority and Centralized Unified Leadership of the Party,” displaying a strong and forceful stance.
One major concern for the leadership is the loyalty and obedience of the military, especially that of senior military officials. This was made clear during a political work conference of the Central Military Commission recently held in Yan’an.
The timing of this conference, just before the 20th Third Plenum, and its location in Yan’an were not coincidental. In the history of the CCP, whoever firmly controls the military also firmly controls the party. The current CCP leader understands that the loyalty of the military is crucial for the success of the Third Plenum. To ensure his absolute authority at the conference and that it proceeds according to his wishes, it is essential to ensure that the military follows his orders without question. This necessitates enhancing his control and pressure on the military, especially on senior military officials, to maintain their loyalty. Therefore, he opted to convene such a conference before the Third Plenum.
Xi Jinping’s choice to hold this conference in Yan’an is undoubtedly to bask in the glory of Mao Zedong. Mao’s revered position within the party was solidified during the Yan’an Rectification Movement, and his ideology was enshrined as the guiding principle of the CCP during that period.
Considering the current leader’s confidence in the military’s obedience and loyalty, why the need for such a conference just before the Third Plenum? Clearly, the decision reflects his ongoing concerns and uncertainties. His speeches at the recent military commission conference focused on the principles of “upholding the absolute leadership of the Party over the military” and “ensuring that the guns are always in the hands of those loyal and reliable to the Party.” The implied message behind these statements is well understood by all – it is about Xi Jinping’s absolute control over the military.
Xi Jinping repeatedly emphasized “political military building” in his speeches. The key to this lies in “upholding the absolute leadership of the Party over the military” and ensuring that “the guns are always in the hands of those loyal and reliable to the Party.”
It is evident from his speeches that the current CCP leader is deeply concerned about political military building. He pointed out the complex and profound changes occurring in the global, national, party, and military landscapes. At present, the political military building needs to address deep-rooted contradictions and issues, particularly related to politics, ideology, organization, style, discipline, ideals, moral character, and loyalty to the party leader.
To address these issues and strengthen loyalty to himself, the leader demanded that officials at all levels, especially senior cadres, introspect, reflect deeply, and rectify their behavior to solve the root problems of ideology. This approach mirrors the Yan’an Rectification Movement. Considering the extent of his concerns, is such a major undertaking really necessary?
The most effective tool to maintain the deterrence of senior military officers is through anti-corruption measures. Xi Jinping warned military leaders that “there must be no place for corrupt elements in the military” and urged an expansion of the depth and breadth of the anti-corruption battle. Enhancing power allocation and operational constraints, refining tools to combat new and subtle forms of corruption, and strengthening comprehensive supervision of senior officials’ duties and powers were among his directives. The use of anti-corruption measures to intimidate senior military personnel further demonstrates Xi Jinping’s lack of trust in the military.
Although Xi Jinping convened the political work conference of the Central Military Commission with the intention of exercising political pressure on military leaders, the extent of its effectiveness remains uncertain.