China's Communist Party opens fifth plenum as Xi's anti-corruption drive faces scrutiny

Summary

China's Communist Party has opened its fifth plenum of the 20th Central Committee in Beijing, a four-day meeting focused on party discipline, loyalty and fighting corruption, according to Xinhua as reported by the South China Morning Post. Official media say adherence to the leadership of President Xi Jinping is key to the country's success, and the agenda includes a work report by the Politburo to the Central Committee. The Guardian reports that when Xi came to power in 2012 he pledged to stamp out corruption throughout the party, and the pace of investigations has not slowed more than a decade later: last year disciplinary authorities opened investigations into more than 1 million people, including more than 100 officials at or above ministerial or provincial level. Some analysts are asking whether the purges are about corruption or a lack of loyalty, and concern about the apparent lack of discipline is dominating party discussions.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   26 Oct 2026, 00:58 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Xi Jinping's corruption crackdown, which has not slowed since he pledged in 2012 to stamp out graft, is in the spotlight as party officials prepare for the fifth plenum, with discipline and loyalty high on the agenda.

2. South China Morning Post

   26 Oct 2026, 06:18 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that the Communist Party has started its fifth plenum in Beijing, a four-day conclave focused on party discipline and fighting corruption, with official media saying loyalty to Xi's leadership is key.