Xi Jinping calls for stronger action against corruption within the communist party

Xi's message stresses the importance of removing corrupt officials to keep the party strong and clean. Since Xi came to power over a decade ago, he has made it a priority to fight corruption within the party. 

This includes taking action against both high-ranking officials, known as "tigers," and lower-ranking officials, called "flies," who have failed to do their jobs properly. While Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has resulted in many officials being punished, problems with graft (dishonest behavior for personal gain) continue to affect the party, especially within the military.

In the past two years, two former defense ministers were kicked out of the Communist Party for "serious violations of discipline," a phrase used to describe corruption. The focus now is to root out the corrupt officials who prey on the party and its members for their own gain.

Xi’s recent remarks, published on January 8 in Qiushi Journal, the CCP’s official magazine, show that the party is not letting up on its anti-corruption efforts. He urged the party to be vigilant against any group or individual that tries to exploit or corrupt party members.

He explained that as the party faces new challenges and changes, internal conflicts and problems are inevitable. But these problems must be dealt with quickly to avoid any damage to the party’s reputation and strength. "We must have the courage to turn the knife inward," Xi said, meaning the party needs to take strong actions against corruption within its ranks.

This call to “turn the knife inward” is a renewed push for the CCP to keep its members disciplined and focused on serving the people, rather than their own interests. This message highlights Xi’s ongoing focus on maintaining the integrity and vitality of the party.

Xi also emphasized the need to act swiftly and decisively. In his speech, he warned against letting powerful groups or classes within the party continue to corrupt its members. If the party does not address these issues, it could lose its strength and ability to lead China.

Just last month, the Chinese defense ministry announced that an admiral who worked for the Central Military Commission, which is the country’s top military leadership body, was under investigation for "serious violations of discipline." This shows that even the highest levels of China’s military are not immune to corruption.

In 2023, about 610,000 CCP officials were punished for breaking party rules. Among them, 49 were senior officials, including those at the vice minister or governor level. These statistics show the seriousness with which the party is tackling corruption.

The crackdown on corruption is not just about punishment; it is about restoring trust in the party. Xi believes that keeping the party free from corruption will help it stay strong and effective in leading China. His message is clear: the Communist Party must stay vigilant and ensure its members remain loyal to their duties and the people they serve.

As China’s challenges grow, the Communist Party must adapt to changes. But, according to Xi, it must do so while remaining clean and disciplined. He warns that corruption, if left unchecked, could damage the party’s ability to govern effectively.

The call to "turn the knife inward" is an important step in Xi Jinping’s larger plan to strengthen the Communist Party. By continuing to root out corruption, Xi hopes to maintain the party’s power and credibility, both at home and abroad.