Xi Jinping tells Chinese police they must maintain social stability ahead of politically sensitive Tiananmen anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told the country’s police to demonstrate greater loyalty to the Communist Party and strengthen their efforts to maintain social stability.

Xi chaired a two-day national public security conference that started in Beijing on Tuesday and used the occasion to tell officers they must “actively prevent and appropriately resolve” conflicts in society, according to the official news agency Xinhua.

Xi’s message comes as the country faces a number of politically sensitive dates this year – including the 30th anniversary of the bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown in June and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic in October – along with the prospect of increased instability as a result of the trade war with the US.

A retired official from the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs said it was the first national public security conference held in the country since 2003 and Xi’s attendance and speech underscored his priorities for the police.

“The message is very clear. That he has chosen to speak to the police directly meaning he takes maintaining social stability and the tasks ahead very seriously,” the official said.

In his speech, Xi also talked about the use of new technology in maintaining law and order and the building of a clean police force and stressed that any officials who offered protection to criminals and gangs would not be tolerated.

“Big data should be used as an engine to power the innovative development of public security work and a new growth point for nurturing combat capabilities,” Xi was quoted as saying.

While Xi highlighted officers’ responsibilities, he also said that they deserved greater respect from society along with better welfare and support.

Wu Qiang, a Beijing-based political analyst, said China faced a complicated social environment this year amid the trade war with the US, which has threatened to more than double its tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese imports if a deal was not reached by Friday.

“This year is filled with politically sensitive dates and we also face uncertainty because of the trade war,” said Wu.

“I believe Xi anticipated this and you may say the conference was held with the possible instability caused by the trade war in mind.”

He added that this week’s conference was a continuation of the Political and Law Work Conference held in January during which Xi called on the country’s law enforcers to adhere closely to the Communist Party’s leadership and ensure national stability.

Other observers said Xi has also wanted to use the occasion to boost the morale of the police force, which has been mired in a number of high-profile corruption scandals in recent years.

“Certainly the Chinese government needs to treat the police force well and empower them more because they need the police [to maintain stability] especially at this critical juncture,” said Zhang Ming, a professor of Renmin University in Beijing.