CPC plenum's anti-graft decision seen as key to party operations and personnel
A political scientist says the Chinese Communist Party's fifth plenum decision on party discipline is vital for operations and personnel selection, amid global changes and domestic challenges. The decision stresses correct personnel direction and coordination between central and local authorities.
A political scientist has said the Chinese Communist Party's (CPC) fifth plenum decision on persistently advancing comprehensive party discipline is vital for the party's operations and personnel selection. Zeng Jinghan, head of the Department of Public and International Affairs at City University of Hong Kong, told RTHK's Look at China programme that party organisations play a crucial role in China's political system, directly affecting the country's long-term development.
Zeng noted the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, while China's economy and technology development face many challenges. He said only strict party discipline could help better address domestic and international challenges. On the call to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping's party-building thought, Zeng described it as an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He argued that only by building and managing the party well, and establishing an efficient party organisational system, could political tasks and economic development be achieved.
The decision emphasises adhering to the correct direction in personnel selection to ensure implementation of the party's line, policies and central decisions. Zeng said different localities have varying conditions, and stronger constraints and management would greatly help coordination between central and local authorities, as well as the execution and authority of central policies.
Regarding the plenum's election of Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of the Military Commission, as a Political Bureau member, and disciplinary actions against multiple military personnel, Zeng said the country needs an army that can fight and win to best protect national interests. He said this reflects the central leadership's determination for strict discipline in both the party and the military, and suggested Zhang's central posts should echo his military role to enable better party-military coordination.
Zeng noted the plenum disciplined a total of 34 senior officials, sending a very important signal that before party rules and national laws, both 'tigers and flies' should be swatted together, meaning no corrupt official is too big or too small to be punished.