China's top leaders have elevated Gen. Zhang Shengmin, the only remaining general on the commission overseeing the country's military, to the Politburo, the Communist Party's highest governing body. The move came as the party adopted a resolution aimed at strengthening self-governance, discipline, and anti-corruption efforts.
During a four-day closed-door meeting, party leaders deliberated on and adopted resolutions intended to guide the party in the coming years. This gathering occurs approximately one year before President Xi Jinping is anticipated to secure a fourth five-year term as the party's leader.
Gen. Zhang Shengmin, who currently serves as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, now holds a seat on the Politburo. This appointment follows Xi's earlier purge of two top generals, leaving Zhang as the commission's sole member besides Xi himself. Zhang also holds a position overseeing internal discipline within the military, serving as deputy secretary of the CMC Commission for Discipline Inspection.
The party stated in a summary of its resolution that it faces increasingly arduous tasks, including "uniting and leading the people to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests." The resolution emphasizes the need to enhance self-governance by rooting out corruption and maintaining ideological purity. According to a summary from the official Xinhua News Agency, the party must "with an eye on enhancing its long-term governance capacity, maintain its progressive nature and purity, and its close, flesh-and-blood ties with the people." The party also committed to remaining "unswerving in its commitment to a rigorous tone, improve the system for full and rigorous self-governance."
Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has championed an anti-corruption campaign that has continued for over a decade. Analysts suggest that the current focus also includes addressing underperforming officials. Party members also reviewed and confirmed earlier personnel changes, including the purges of top officials and military figures.