Xi Jinping chairs Politburo meeting ahead of Fifth Plenary Session

Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Politburo on October 23 to review the comprehensive report on the seventh round of inspections by the 20th Central Committee. The meeting emphasized maintaining high pressure in combating corruption and strictly implementing political responsibilities for party governance.

The session was held eight days earlier than the usual month-end schedule, coinciding with the upcoming Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, scheduled for October 26 to 29 in Beijing. This upcoming plenary is expected to pass a resolution on “comprehensively strict party governance.”

Amidst the political preparations, rumors of high-level officials being purged have circulated. Reports indicate the potential disappearance or investigation of several figures, including Hu Chunhua, who was noted for his absence from a recent Long March anniversary event, and Beijing Deputy Mayor Xia Linmao. Additionally, the investigation of Huang Qifan in mid-October has been viewed by observers as a sign of expanding internal purges.