Keep watch on your families, Chinese president tells cadres as he warns of ‘cabals and cliques’

President Xi Jinping has called on cadres to monitor family members to ensure they do not violate the Communist Party’s discipline standards.

“Cabals and cliques” would shake the party’s foundation, Xi told a meeting of the national anti-graft watchdog, but he denied the pursuit of officials on corruption charges indicated a House of Cards style power struggle, referring to a popular US television show.

“There are careerists and conspirators in our party [who are] undermining the party’s governance. We should not bury our heads in the sand and spare these members but must make a resolute response to eliminate the problem and deter further violations,” Xi said, People’s Daily reported.

Xi Jinping tightens reins on business ties of Chinese officials’ families in wake of Panama Papers

The remarks, made in January but not published until Tuesday, follow revelations in the Panama Papers that relatives of China’s top leaders held stakes in companies registered in offshore tax havens.

Xi said fighting corruption remained a “severe and complex” problem, adding that corrupt officials tended to pursue both economic and political aims.

“Some cadres turned a deaf ear to the party’s order that they should strictly follow political rules. Instead, they continued to form cliques to secure political powers and advance their careers,” Xi said.