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Chinese President Xi Jinping wants his spy agencies to be "determined, pure and trustworthy". Photo: Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping demands loyalty from state security agencies

Call comes in light of corruption scandals that toppled some of the sector's most high-profile figures

Xi Jinping

President Xi Jinping has demanded absolute loyalty from state security agencies in light of recent scandals that toppled some of the sector's highest profile figures.

The remarks came during a meeting with several top national security agents in which Xi called for "firm faith" and "absolute loyalty" to the Communist Party in the face of threats to national security and social stability, Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

National security agencies should enforce strict discipline and forge teams that were "determined, pure, trustworthy, devoted and competent", Xi said.

Top intelligence official Ma Jian was placed under investigation in January on suspicion of discipline and legal violations by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in a widening of the anti-corruption campaign.

He is closely linked to Ling Jihua, the ex-aide of former president Hu Jintao. Ling was himself brought under investigation last December also on corruption charges.

Former security tsar Zhou Yongkang is another top official to have been snared in the anti-corruption campaign started by Xi, and some of Zhou's former associates have also been implicated.

During Tuesday's meeting, Xi said China was being confronted with complicated and rapidly changing domestic and international environments.

He said these environments contained huge uncertainties and risks, and security agencies faced tough tasks in safeguarding state security and social stability.

The central leadership placed great importance on national security and the country would step up efforts to prevent and crack down on activities that compromised national security, Xi added.

He called on all Communist Party and government departments to value, understand and support the work of the agencies.

Meng Jianzhu, head of the party's Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, pledged that national security agencies would carry out Xi's instructions and follow the undivided leadership of the Communist Party's Central Committee.

National security agencies are responsible for intelligence gathering and spying operations.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Xi demands loyalty from state security agencies
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