New | China’s President Xi Jinping calls on Politburo to follow his lead
Chinese president urges top decision-making body to stay loyal to the party in comments analysts say mark the launch of a rectification movement
China’s top Communist Party leaders have been warned to toe the party line and to ensure their family members steer clear of corruption.
President Xi Jinping (習近平) issued the stern warning yesterday, as a Politburo meeting announced that the sixth plenary session of the party’s top anti-graft watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, would be held on January 12-14.
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“Politburo members should stay in line with the Central Committee,” Xi told an earlier meeting of the country’s top decision-making group as he urged the 25-man body to “stick to the correct political direction and remain loyal to the party”, as well as to “consciously and actively follow the party leaders’ instructions”.
He also called on them to “strictly educate and supervise” their family members against corruption, advising them “not to feel any superiority in power and position”, according to a Xinhua report released late on Tuesday.
[Major policy] mistakes are more likely when dissenting views are silenced
Analysts say Xi’s call reflects his determination to strengthen his authority through the use of a rectification movement.
Urging the Politburo to toe the party line suggested division among the leaders, they said.