CPC Central Committee’s fifth plenary session adopts resolution on full and rigorous Party self-governance
The sustained development of political institutions requires not only long-term goals but also continuous efforts to strengthen discipline, accountability and effective governance. The fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday, adopted a resolution on persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance.
The meeting was presided over by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important address and presented a report on the work of the Political Bureau. Participants heard and deliberated on the report, considered the draft resolution and adopted a document addressing major issues related to strengthening Party self-governance. Xi also delivered explanatory remarks on the draft.
The communique said the CPC Central Committee fully affirmed the work of the Political Bureau since the committee’s fourth plenary session. Reflecting on the Party’s history of more than a century, it highlighted the importance of its ideals, its commitment to national rejuvenation and its goal of promoting the well-being of the Chinese people.
The Central Committee also gave a highly positive assessment of the achievements made in full and rigorous Party self-governance in the new era. It said the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core had put forward new ideas, thinking and strategies in response to major questions about building a Marxist party capable of long-term governance. These ideas have given rise to Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building.
The communique stressed that while favorable conditions exist for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance, new circumstances and challenges have also emerged. Profound changes in global, national and Party conditions have made the tasks of safeguarding China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, advancing reform, maintaining social harmony and stability, and preserving the Party’s advanced nature more demanding.
The guiding principles outlined at the session included serving the Party’s missions and tasks, strengthening the Party politically, exercising rigorous governance across the board, adopting a problem-oriented approach, upholding fundamental principles while breaking new ground, following a top-down approach, and running the Party according to regulations.
The session also set out systematic plans for furthering full and rigorous Party self-governance. Key priorities included strengthening Party spirit, implementing democratic centralism, strictly managing officials, developing Party organizations at all levels, improving work conduct and tightening discipline. The communique placed particular emphasis on combating corruption, stating that efforts must address both its symptoms and root causes through a combination of severe punishment, targeted remedies and effective prevention.
Strengthening Party regulations and institutions, as well as improving oversight systems within the Party and the state, were described as long-term priorities. The communique said all Party members share responsibility for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance. Studying and implementing the guiding principles of the plenary session was identified as a major political task for the entire Party in the current period and the time ahead.
The CPC Central Committee also decided that the Party would convene its 21st National Congress in Beijing in the second half of 2027. The communique said the congress would take place at a critical stage in the drive to basically realize socialist modernization and would be a highly important meeting with great political significance for both the Party and the country.
In addition, Zhang Shengmin was elected as a new member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau. The session decided to fill vacant seats on the Central Committee with alternate members, deliberated and adopted inspection reports from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Central Military Commission concerning serious violations of discipline and law, and confirmed previous Political Bureau decisions to punish those involved.
The CPC Central Committee called on the entire Party to rally more closely around the Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core and fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. A total of 162 members and 117 alternate members of the Central Committee attended the session. Members of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, leading officials from relevant departments, some primary-level cadres, and experts and scholars also attended in a non-voting capacity.
According to CCTV+, the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee set out key priorities for strengthening Party self-governance, discipline and anti-corruption efforts, while reaffirming preparations for the 21st National Congress scheduled for the second half of 2027.
