The Chinese Communist Party announced the long-delayed convening of the 20th Third Plenum in July of this year. At the same time, the Minister of State Security, Chen Yixin, published a lengthy article in official media, proclaiming an in-depth implementation of the so-called “Five Anti-Struggle.” Political analysts believe that these two events were almost synchronously rolled out, indicating a deliberate move by the CCP as there exists a connection between them.
The Central Political Bureau of the CCP convened a meeting on April 30 and decided to hold the 20th Third Plenum in Beijing in July of this year, focusing on issues such as “comprehensively deepening reforms and promoting China’s modernization.”
According to the CCP’s party constitution, a national congress is held every five years, followed by a series of plenums in order. Typically, within each five-year term, seven plenary sessions are held, from the First to the Seventh. Each meeting covers different topics.
After the end of the Cultural Revolution, the CCP’s Third Plenums were usually held between September and December, with a central focus on economic issues. Following the 20th National Congress in October 2022, the 20th Third Plenum should have been held between September and December 2023 as per tradition. However, the CCP delayed the announcement of the session without explanation, leading to various speculations.
Wang Juntao, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Democratic Party, stated in an interview with Epoch Times on May 1 that the Third Plenum primarily discusses economic issues. The reason for not convening the Third Plenum in 2023 was due to the poor economic situation in China, where Xi Jinping’s concept of “new quality productivity” failed to address the country’s economic challenges. Now, with the belief that the theory of “new quality productivity” can guide economic development, the CCP has announced the convening of the Third Plenum.
Political analyst Tang Jingyuan, currently residing in the United States, pointed out three reasons for the CCP’s decision to convene the Third Plenum in July this year.
Tang Jingyuan explained that, first and foremost, the CCP authorities have found it increasingly difficult to further delay the session. According to CCP norms, the Third Plenum should have been held in November 2023. If it is not convened before the Beidaihe Conference scheduled for July and August this year, it would be postponed to a later date, disrupting the subsequent arrangements.
The second reason, Tang Jingyuan stated, is closely related to China’s economic situation. In 2023, China experienced a drastic economic decline, putting significant pressure on Xi Jinping from within the party, especially from factions opposed to Xi such as the Deng Xiaoping family and the Jiang Zemin faction. Consequently, convening the Third Plenum at that time would have exposed Xi Jinping to intense attacks from political adversaries.
Furthermore, in the first quarter of this year, Xi Jinping managed to stabilize the Chinese stock market around the 3,000 mark through exports of the so-called “new three items” (new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, solar panels) and administrative interventions, giving the appearance of slight economic recovery. Therefore, Xi Jinping may now believe that the conditions are met to convene the Third Plenum, at least politically, no longer in a passive position.
Tang Jingyuan suggested that the third reason is linked to several major cases handled by Xi Jinping in 2023, including the arrests of high-ranking officials in the CCP Rocket Force, Li Shangfu, former Minister of National Defense, and Qin Gang, former Minister of Foreign Affairs. These individuals were all members of the CCP Central Committee and, according to CCP norms, should have their Central Committee membership revoked at a plenum after facing issues. The delayed resolution of these cases may have led Xi Jinping to consider postponing the Third Plenum, with their involvement possibly reaching a conclusion by now, prompting the CCP to announce the session.
Just the day before the CCP announced the date of the Third Plenum, Minister of State Security Chen Yixin published a long article on the front page of CCP’s official newspaper, “Study Times,” declaring the intensification of the so-called “Five Anti-Struggle.”
In his article, Chen Yixin utilized terms loaded with connotations of struggle and echoes of the Cultural Revolution, mentioning actions against subversion, hegemony, separatism, terrorism, and espionage – collectively termed the “Five Anti-Struggle.”
Chen Yixin asserted the need to wage a “defense battle against subversion” externally by building a “steel Great Wall safeguarding political security” against “color revolution” and internally by eradicating the “soil that affects political security,” controlling ideological arenas like the internet and universities. The “anti-espionage” effort calls for resolutely “pulling out the nails” and eliminating internal traitors.”
Since taking over the Ministry of State Security, Chen Yixin’s once secretive powerful CCP institution has become more public, involved in diplomatic and financial sectors, urging the populace to catch spies and leading actions to suppress foreign companies in China.
Tang Jingyuan believed that the timing of Chen Yixin’s article and the CCP’s announcement of the Third Plenum almost coinciding was no coincidence but a meticulously planned alignment by the CCP.
He further explained that the CCP’s current “Five Anti-Struggle” differs significantly from the historical “Five Antis Campaign” and targets entirely different subjects. The mentions of “anti-hegemony” and “anti-separatism” in this “Five Anti-Struggle” may predominantly target individuals with political and business ties to the U.S. and Taiwan within China. The CCP might use these individuals as bargaining chips in the U.S. trade war. The “anti-subversion,” “anti-terrorism,” and “anti-espionage” movements mainly target individuals within the CCP system, especially those holding certain hierarchical positions within the party.
Tang Jingyuan remarked that the general public in China lacks the capability and resources to overthrow Xi Jinping’s regime, despite voicing complaints. The focus of Xi Jinping’s prevention lies in those within the CCP system who hold power, wealth, and even weapons – individuals he sees as posing a threat.
He concluded, “Therefore, Xi Jinping’s initiation of the ‘Five Anti-Struggle’ through Chen Yixin primarily targets the party internally, likely leading to a round of purges. This is the real significance behind ‘pulling out the nails’ and ‘rooting out internal traitors’.” Tang Jingyuan added, “The timing of Chen Yixin’s article and the announcement of the Third Plenum almost simultaneously suggests a connection between the ‘Five Anti-Struggle’ initiative and individuals involved in major cases that may be addressed at the Third Plenum. All these individuals are former high-ranking CCP officials, previously wielding power and influence. Hence, these are the real targets representing a threat to Xi Jinping.”