The 4th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) concluded this afternoon (23rd). The meeting communique indicated that there were no changes in the position of the CCP leader as rumored. General Zhang Shengmin was appointed as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, while this session of the Central Committee experienced a rare large-scale collapse. Analysis suggests that the intense infighting within the CCP has currently only come to a temporary halt.
The CCP’s Xinhua News Agency released the communique of the 4th Plenary Session around 5 p.m. today, announcing the adoption of the “15th Five-Year Plan” recommendations.
The meeting decided to appoint Zhang Shengmin as vice chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission.
According to the communique, it was decided to supplement the Central Committee with alternate members Yu Huiwen, Ma Hancheng, Wang Jian, Wang Xi, Wang Yonghong, Wang Tingkai, Wang Xinwei, Wei Tao, Deng Yiwu, Deng Xiuming, and Lu Hong as members of the Central Committee.
The meeting stated that it reviewed and approved the discipline inspection reports on serious violations of discipline and law involving Tang Renjian, Jin Xiangjun, Li Shisong, Yang Fasen, and Zhu Zhisong by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. It also reviewed and approved the discipline inspection reports on serious violations of discipline and law involving He Weidong, Miao Hua, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning, and Zhang Fengzhong by the CCP Central Military Commission, confirming the previous decision of the Central Political Bureau to expel these individuals from the party.
During the 4th Plenary Session, there were widespread rumors of Xi Jinping being “deposed.” However, the official reports indicated that Xi Jinping’s position remained unchanged, and the speculations about the new composition of the Military Commission were not confirmed.
Political commentator Li Lin told the Epoch Times that this indicates that the internal power struggle within the CCP is ongoing. The Xi faction and the anti-Xi faction have not yet laid all their cards on the table, and the infighting is likely to escalate further until the 21st National Congress. The significant collapse of the Central Committee has already signaled an unprecedented crisis for the regime.
Following past practice, the full text of the “15th Five-Year Plan” recommendations and Xi Jinping’s elaboration on the “meeting decisions” are typically released to the public 3 days later. The entire content of the 15th Five-Year Plan will be ratified during the National People’s Congress in March next year.
Taiwanese scholar Wu Se recently stated in the Taiwanese media Newtalk that the internal power struggle within the CCP, coupled with social and economic instability, may lead to the “15th Five-Year Plan” ending up as merely a formality. He believes that post the 4th Plenary Session, China’s internal situation may further spiral into chaos and stagnation.
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