Chinese President Xi Jinping dismissed internal divisions within the ruling Communist Party as unavoidable, while calling for greater efforts to instill discipline, according to newly disclosed remarks he made at an anti-graft meeting in January.
“Changes in the external environment and in the party membership will inevitably lead to various conflicts and problems within the party,” Xi said at the annual huddle of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. “It is necessary to eliminate all kinds of negative influences in a timely manner with the courage of turning the blade inward to ensure that the party is always full of vigor and vitality.”
The top leader’s remarks were revealed in the Communist Party journal Qiushi on Sunday, just weeks after another high-ranking military official was abruptly suspended from duty — that ousting was notable as Miao Hua has been considered a Xi loyalist. Other parts of Xi’s speech were previously reported by Xinhua in January, without such details.
China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong is deepening an anti-corruption campaign that he’s used to root out unscrupulous officials and eliminate political rivals since taking office in 2012. That drive has ensnared a record number of senior officials for two straight years, and set off a purge that’s still roiling the defense establishment.
That widening crackdown has contributed to bureaucratic paralysis as officials scared of making mistakes refrain from taking risks to boost the nation’s slowing economy. Top leaders appear aware of the issue, as they last week reiterated the need to fully implement the party’s instructions and step up “positive incentives” for local officials.
The party doesn’t disclose all speeches delivered by Xi in full, and often releases them months — or even years — after the fact, sometimes as a way to signal policy priorities. The Qiushi article on Sunday also urged to “remove viruses that erode the healthy body of the party” in order to consolidate the Communist Party’s legitimacy.
