Xi Jinping Solidifies Power at Closed-Door Party Meeting

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently attended a ceremony honoring national heroes at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. This occurred on September 30, 2026, during Martyrs’ Day.

On Thursday, China’s top leaders elevated the sole remaining general on the commission overseeing the military to the Politburo, the Communist Party’s primary governing body. These leaders also endorsed a resolution aimed at strengthening self-governance, discipline, and anti-corruption within the party. Their goal is to reinforce their grip on power.

During a four-day closed-door session, top Communist Party officials adopted resolutions to guide the party in coming years. This meeting occurs about a year before President Xi Jinping is expected to secure his fourth five-year term as party leader.

Leadership Changes

The party elected Gen. Zhang Shengmin, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, to the Politburo. Previously, Xi purged two top generals, leaving Zhang as the only other member of the commission alongside Xi.

Zhang oversees internal military discipline as Deputy Secretary of the CMC Commission for Discipline Inspection. His election fills a gap left by the absence of People’s Liberation Army representatives in the Politburo.

Party Resolutions and Challenges

The party declared its challenges as “increasingly arduous,” including safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The summary from Xinhua News Agency highlighted the need for enhanced self-governance, focusing on rooting out corruption and maintaining ideological integrity.

The party aims to maintain its “progressive nature and purity,” fostering close ties with the public. President Xi has advocated for anti-corruption measures since 2012 and maintained a long-term crackdown on corruption. Analysts suggest the focus now extends to underperforming officials.

Personnel Changes and Historical Context

Party members reviewed past purges of top officials and military leaders, confirming personnel changes. The plenum meeting indicated extensive purges, according to Neil Thomas, a senior fellow at Asia Policy noted for analyzing Chinese political dynamics. He reported an attendance rate of 74 percent, the lowest since the era of former leader Mao Zedong, known for regular political purges.