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
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.