Xi Jinping says anti-corruption ‘will never be soft-hearted’

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned senior Chinese Communist Party officials at provincial and ministerial levels on Tuesday not to waver in their anti-corruption efforts and strictly follow Beijing’s strategic decisions, as his government prepares for a key party congress scheduled for this year, state media reported. . .

Xi made the remarks at a study meeting at the Central Party School in Beijing, according to the official Xinhua news agency, to ensure that provincial and ministerial leaders grasp the key learning points of the party’s plenary session at the end of last year.

The Chinese leader’s remarks echoed his recent remarks, which analysts believe set the stage for the 20th National Congress (NPC) in the second half of this year, when a major reshuffle of the party will be discussed. The National People’s Congress is China’s highest legislative body.

Xi Jinping hailed the ongoing anti-corruption campaign as an “overwhelming victory”, telling senior cadres they must maintain a “self-revolutionary spirit” and never let their guard down.

“[We] We must continue to fight the arduous long-term battle of building a clean government and fighting corruption. “If you violate party rules and national laws, no matter who you are, there will be no mercy.” “

Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption campaign shortly after he took over as party general secretary in 2012. Tens of thousands of officials have been arrested and charged since the anti-corruption campaign began.

The two senior officials recently arrested are Zhang Yongze, vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region government, and Wang Bin, chairman of China Life Insurance (Group). Their case was announced last week by the party’s anti-corruption investigators.

Xi’s speeches focused on corruption, and he also pushed them to align with the key message of the Sixth Plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee in November, in which Xi’s stance was compared to the party’s immortals Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

“[We must] have a holistic perspective, so [we can have] We must fully understand all kinds of contradictions, but at the same time we must clarify the main contradictions and main tasks we are facing. “He said.

In addition, Xi Jinping told cadres to closely follow the party’s leadership and faithfully implement Beijing’s orders.

“When formulating work ideas, plans, policies and measures, all regions and departments must consciously keep in line with the theory and direction proposed by the party, be completely consistent and not deviate from it,” he said.

“[Everyone] We must unconditionally implement the strategic decisions of the Party Central Committee to ensure that [the execution] Completely accurate, no corners or distortions,” he added.

In his speech, Xi Jinping also implored senior cadres to gain an in-depth understanding of the party’s history in order to correctly understand and appreciate the party’s mission and values.

All members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, including Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People’s Congress, attended the workshop, Xinhua reported.

It was Li Keqiang’s first public appearance since late December, when he was conspicuously absent from a New Year’s celebration meeting of the country’s top political adviser.

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