Members Briefing: Beijing Buzz: What the fifth plenum means for party discipline and personnel moves

MERICS held an online briefing on the Fifth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party on October 30.

“Comprehensive and strict party governance” was the theme of the upcoming Fifth Plenum, which ran from October 26 to 29. With a year to go until the 21st Party Congress, Xi is trying to whip the party into shape and ensure that the party's ca. 7.5 million officials stay focused on their mission. At a time of economic and geopolitical headwinds, cadres must contribute to China’s economic and technological advancement while also maintaining the party’s long-term legitimacy and hold on power. The plenum also provided a key window into elite politics and personnel developments. As purges in the upper ranks continue, monitoring who will be absent due to investigations will be just as telling as who moves up the ranks and is promoted to new positions.

MERICS experts Daria Impiombato and Katja Drinhausen unpacked the key outcomes and developments of the party gathering and what they mean for international stakeholders.