On November 3, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi published an article in the CCP’s official newspaper “People’s Daily,” discussing party governance and anti-corruption efforts. He criticized the passive attitude within the Party towards the so-called “self-revolution” and emphasized the need for introspection. Experts believe this signals an escalation in internal power struggles within the CCP.
In his article, Cai Qi, a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee, highlighted the challenging tasks and complex situations facing economic and social development during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period (2026-2030), emphasizing the new and higher demands for comprehensive and strict governance of the Party.
Following the conclusion of the Fourth Plenary Session of the CCP Central Committee, “People’s Daily” published articles signed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning on October 30 and 31 respectively. Subsequently, Cai Qi’s article was published on November 3, followed by an article by Ding Xuexiang on November 4. These articles all revolved around the recently concluded Fourth Plenary Session.
Cai Qi’s article praised the CCP’s efforts in implementing the so-called “comprehensive and strict governance of the Party” under Xi Jinping’s leadership. However, it completely ignored the major personnel changes within the military leadership during the previous month’s Plenary Session.
Cai Qi criticized some Party members and officials for holding mistaken views on the Party’s self-revolution, citing instances of slackness, hesitation, passive responses, or deliberate confrontation. He also accused CCP officials of being unwilling to take responsibility, emphasizing the need to constantly turn the focus inward.
He also called for intensifying the fight against corruption, describing it as a tough battle, a protracted war, and an overall struggle, while maintaining a high-pressure stance against corruption.
Shen Mingshi, a researcher at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies, told The Epoch Times that CCP propaganda articles or high-level demands typically address whatever is lacking. From the Fourth Plenary Session, it can be seen that many central committee members or senior military officers have been removed, indicating that Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has entered its third phase. However, the problem is becoming increasingly severe, and corruption is a structural issue due to the CCP’s unchecked power without external supervision or constraints.
He believes that Cai Qi’s article is actually aimed at hostile factions, as his mention of self-revolution and strict governance serve as strong warnings to opponents.
Shen Mingshi further analyzed that with so many absences at the Fourth Plenary Session, some individuals did not become central committee members as tradition dictates, indicating that the power struggle within the CCP is still ongoing.
For instance, Chen Xiaojiang was appointed as Secretary of Xinjiang, but did not become a member of the Central Political Bureau like Ma Xingrui did. Ma Xingrui is evidently involved in corruption issues yet remains a member of the Central Political Bureau. Shen Mingshi suggested that it seems like different factions are engaging in positional warfare, where concessions are made in certain positions while others are fiercely protected.
He said that the power struggle between anti-Xi and pro-Xi factions is likely to continue until the Fifth Plenary Session next year and possibly extend to the 21st Party Congress in 2027, with corruption serving as one of the reasons for mutual accusations among opposing factions.
Political commentator Tang Jingyuan, based in the United States, told The Epoch Times that Cai Qi’s article contains clichés. However, what is peculiar is that Cai’s statements are typically made by the Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Li Xi. “Cai Qi is in charge of party construction, so of course, he can talk about party governance. Still, discussions about intensifying the anti-corruption efforts should come from the Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.”
Tang Jingyuan also noted that the signal conveyed through Cai Qi’s article is that after severe setbacks within the Xi Jinping faction in the CCP military, Xi hopes to strengthen his grip on party power through enhanced strict governance. “He is using the power he controls within the Party and government system to engage in targeted ideological struggles.”
Tang Jingyuan pointed out that there have always been two lines within the CCP: one following Xi Jinping’s return to Mao Zedong’s political line, and the other representing the path of reform and opening advocated by Deng Xiaoping or his successors. Now, with Cai Qi emphasizing introspection, it indicates the start of a new wave of Xi’s crackdown within the CCP.
However, Tang Jingyuan expressed concerns that under Xi Jinping’s rule, the Chinese economy has seen a major decline, with many benefiting from the system suffering severe losses. Local governments are facing financial crises, some unable even to pay their employees’ wages. In the upcoming CCP power struggles, many officials are hesitant to take sides, exacerbating a situation where they remain inactive, leading to further challenges for CCP rule. “The CCP is now in its garbage time, at the final stage.”