General secretary says anti-graft fight is major battle CPC must never lose

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping called for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more concrete measures, highlighting that the battle against corruption is a major struggle that the Party cannot afford to lose and must never lose.

Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Jan 12 while addressing the opening of the three-day fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, China’s top anti-graft body, in Beijing.

He urged efforts to confine power to an institutional cage in a more well-conceived and effective way, and press ahead with the anti-corruption drive with a clearer vision and stronger resolve, thereby providing a strong guarantee for achieving the goals and tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period.

Reviewing anti-corruption efforts in the past year, Xi said that in 2025, the CPC Central Committee intensified efforts to improve Party conduct, uphold integrity, and combat corruption, achieving notable results.

Efforts were made to maintain a tough stance against corruption and eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption, he said.

Xi emphasized that implementing the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee is a fundamental requirement for upholding its authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials should implement the decisions and plans of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee with concrete actions, he said.

Noting the importance of strengthening scrutiny over the exercise of power, Xi said that confining power to an institutional cage is an important task in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance in the new era.

He underlined the need to improve the institutional framework while strengthening the strict enforcement of related laws and regulations.

All are equal before the law and regulations, compliance with them admits no privilege, and enforcement of the law and regulations allows no exception, he said, urging senior officials to take the lead in enforcing the law and regulations.

Xi pointed out that corruption is a stumbling block and an obstacle in the development process of the Party’s and the country’s undertakings.

The situation remains grave and complex, and the task of eliminating the soil and conditions breeding corruption remains arduous, he said, adding that it is essential to maintain a firm stance to leave corrupt officials with no place to hide.

Xi underscored the need to stay attuned to new trends and features of corruption, and urged efforts to innovate methods and approaches, promptly detect and accurately identify corrupt practices, and effectively address all forms of corruption, to continuously enhance the penetrating power of anti-corruption efforts.

He also urged strengthening coordination among all forms of oversight to advance integrated governance through whole-process collaboration.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, China has maintained strong momentum in its anti-corruption drive, which remains a key priority as the Party steers the country forward on the path toward modernization.

Over the past year, China’s anti-corruption campaign continued relentlessly, with discipline inspection and supervision authorities vowing “no pause or retreat” in the efforts to root out graft and misconduct.

Emphasis was placed on reinforcing political oversight, thoroughly studying and implementing the guiding principles of the CPC Central Committee’s eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, decisively fighting corruption and undesirable work styles, rectifying misconduct affecting the public, and completing inspections across all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn