Communiqué of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

2026-10-29 Source: “Study in China” Learning Platform

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) —

Communiqué of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

(Adopted at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on October 29, 2026)

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026.

Present at this plenary session were 162 members of the Central Committee and 117 alternate members of the Central Committee. Members of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and leading officials from relevant departments attended the meeting as non-voting participants. In addition, some grassroots comrades and experts and scholars among the delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China also attended the meeting.

The plenary session was chaired by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important address.

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered an important speech. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi.

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026. The session was chaired by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yue Yuewei.

The plenary session heard and discussed the work report delivered by Xi Jinping on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and adopted the Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Several Major Issues Concerning the Steadfast Advancement of Comprehensive and Strict Party Governance. Xi Jinping then provided an explanation of the Decision (draft for discussion) to the plenary session.

The plenary session fully affirmed the work of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee since the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. It unanimously agreed that the Political Bureau has earnestly implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and all previous plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, adhered to the overarching principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, comprehensively, accurately, and thoroughly applied the new development philosophy, coordinated the promotion of the “five-sphere integrated plan,” advanced the “four-pronged comprehensive strategy,” balanced the domestic and international contexts, and balanced development with security. In doing so, it has steadily promoted high-quality economic development, advanced socialist democracy and the rule of law, strengthened publicity, ideological, and cultural work, ensured people’s wellbeing and ecological progress, safeguarded national security and social stability, deepened the Party’s self‑governance in all respects, bolstered national defense and military modernization, carried out work related to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and advanced China’s diplomacy with distinctive features as a major country. As a result, the 14th Five-Year Plan concluded successfully, the 15th Five-Year Plan has gotten off to a good start, and the cause of the Party and the country has achieved new progress and new results. Furthermore, efforts were made to promote study and education on establishing and practicing a correct view of official achievements, and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China was celebrated with great solemnity, thereby further rallying the powerful force of unity and striving among all Party members and the people of all ethnic groups across the country.

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026. Pictured on the rostrum are Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and others. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xiang.

The plenary session reviewed the Party’s more than a century of struggle, noting that the Communist Party of China has been able to advance from one victory to another because it harbors the lofty ideal of communism, is committed to the enduring great cause of the Chinese nation, and steadfastly strives for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Throughout every historical period, it has attached great importance to strengthening Party governance, courageously upheld truth and corrected errors, and continuously grown stronger by relying on its own strength and the support of the people, thereby becoming the strong leadership core of the Party and the cause of the people. In the course of revolution, construction, and reform, it has successively regarded Party building as a great undertaking and then as a new great undertaking; since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, it has deepened the advancement of this new great undertaking in the new era, and has found two answers—“letting the people supervise the government” and “self‑revolution”—to break free from the historical cycle of chaos and prosperity, decline and revival. This represents a unique contribution of the Communist Party of China and will be forever recorded in the annals of Marxist party‑building.

The plenary session highly commended the great achievements made in exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party in the new era. It unanimously agreed that, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the CPC Central Committee has demonstrated tremendous political courage and a strong sense of responsibility, squarely confronting the grave realities—once characterized by weakened, hollowed‑out, and diluted Party leadership; lax, superficial, and ineffective Party management and governance; and alarming problems within the Party. Upholding unwavering commitment to exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party, the Party has turned the blade inward, adopted stringent measures to restore order, and persistently addressed pressing issues. As a result, it has fundamentally reversed the longstanding situation of laxity and weakness in Party governance, put an end to long‑standing unhealthy tendencies, rectified stubborn maladies that had persisted for years, and eliminated serious hidden dangers within the Party, the state, and the military. Through this process of revolutionary self‑refinement, the Party has grown even stronger and more capable. In the new era, exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party has opened up a new horizon for the century‑old Party’s self‑revolution, propelled historic achievements and transformative changes in the cause of the Party and the country, and enabled the Party and the people to seize the historical initiative to build a strong Party and a strong nation.

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026. Pictured on the rostrum are Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and others. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xiang.

The plenary session pointed out that, in the great practice of governing and strengthening the Party and revitalizing and fortifying it in the new era, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has addressed the major contemporary question of what kind of long‑term ruling Marxist party should be built and how such a party should be built. In doing so, it has put forward a series of new concepts, ideas, and strategies, thereby giving rise to Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building. This thought enriches and develops the Marxist theory of party building; it represents a major achievement in advancing theoretical innovation by upholding the integration of the fundamental principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditions of Chinese culture. It is the crystallization of the Party and the people’s practical experience and collective wisdom, an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and provides the fundamental guiding principles and action guide for deepening the new great project of Party building in the new era.

The plenary session emphasized that comprehensively strengthening Party self‑discipline enjoys many favorable conditions, yet also faces numerous new circumstances and challenges. As the global landscape, China’s national conditions, and the state of the Party undergo profound changes, the tasks of uniting and leading the people to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests have become even more arduous; so too have the tasks of rallying the people to advance reform and development and to maintain social harmony and stability; and the task of preserving the Party’s advanced nature and purity has grown ever more demanding. These developments pose significant challenges to the Party’s governing capacity, leadership level, cadre quality, and ability to resist corruption and prevent degeneration in the new context. The “four major tests” and “four kinds of dangers” confronting the Party are long‑term, complex, and grave. The entire Party must, from the strategic perspective of consolidating the Party’s long‑term ruling position and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, deeply appreciate the profound significance of persistently advancing comprehensive and rigorous Party self‑discipline. We must strengthen our confidence, maintain steadfast resolve, and, with higher standards and more concrete measures, ensure that the valuable experiences gained in comprehensively strengthening Party self‑discipline in the new era are upheld and effectively applied; we must address and resolve the most salient problems facing Party building; and we must consolidate and further develop the sound political environment fostered through strict Party governance.

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026. The session was chaired by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhai Jianlan.

The plenary session pointed out that, in order to steadfastly advance the Party’s self‑governance in all respects, we must uphold Marxism–Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development; fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; and deeply study and apply Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building. Guided by the Party Constitution as the fundamental principle, we must uphold the Party’s nature as the vanguard, maintain the Party’s overall leadership and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and focus on fulfilling the Party’s mission and tasks. We must adhere to the overarching requirements for Party building in the new era, strengthen the system of comprehensive Party self‑governance, take political development as the guiding principle, and comprehensively advance all aspects of Party building. In doing so, we will fully stimulate the Party’s enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity, continuously achieve self‑purification, self‑improvement, self‑reform, and self‑enhancement, and steadily enhance the Party’s political leadership, ideological guidance, capacity for mass organization, and social appeal. This will ensure that the Party remains a Marxist ruling party that leads the times, enjoys the heartfelt support of the people, stands firm in the face of all kinds of challenges, and brims with vitality; and that it continues to serve as the strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The plenary session emphasized that the principles guiding the sustained advancement of comprehensive and rigorous Party self‑governance are: upholding service to the mission and tasks; placing political development of the Party at the forefront; maintaining comprehensive and strict governance; adopting a problem‑oriented approach; adhering to both upholding fundamental principles and promoting innovation; setting an example from the top down; and governing the Party in accordance with regulations.

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhai Jianlan.

The plenary session laid out a systematic plan for steadfastly advancing comprehensive and rigorous Party self-governance, emphasizing the strengthening of Party spirit among Communists, the strict implementation of democratic centralism, the cultivation of a high-caliber cadre team capable of shouldering the great mission of national rejuvenation, the establishment of a tightly integrated organizational system that ensures seamless communication and effective execution from top to bottom, the unremitting rectification of conduct and discipline, and the unwavering, coordinated effort to ensure that no one dares to be corrupt, no one can be corrupt, and no one wants to be corrupt. It also reaffirmed the commitment to governing the Party through institutions and in accordance with regulations, to improving the Party and state oversight system, and to firmly assigning and enforcing responsibilities for Party governance and self-discipline.

The plenary session emphasized that strengthening Party spirit is a fundamental task in ensuring strict Party self‑discipline across the board. All Party members and cadres must uphold the Party’s nature and purpose, enhance their sense of the Party, their sense of being Party members, and their sense of being vanguard fighters, and regard the cultivation of Party spirit as a lifelong endeavor. They should devote themselves to strengthening their ideals and convictions, forging unwavering loyalty to the Party, fostering deep concern for the people, adhering to the principle of seeking truth from facts, cultivating sound moral character, and maintaining integrity and incorruptibility—thus remaining loyal, clean, and responsible, and forever preserving the political essence of Communists. It is essential to reinforce education on loyalty to the Party, steadfastly use the Party’s innovative theories to unite hearts and fortify souls, nurture Party spirit through the Party’s fine traditions and China’s outstanding traditional culture, hone Party spirit in practical work, and strengthen the ability to discern and uphold Party principles.

The plenary session stated that democratic centralism is the Party’s fundamental organizational principle and leadership system, and that its thorough implementation is an intrinsic requirement for exercising strict governance over the Party in all respects. It is imperative to improve and enforce all systems under the framework of democratic centralism, fully promote intra‑Party democracy, ensure effective and correct centralization, and better leverage the political, organizational, institutional, and operational strengths of democratic centralism. We must uphold and strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, enhance the quality of intra‑Party democracy, strictly enforce the rules governing decision‑making and deliberation within leading bodies, and standardize the performance of duties and exercise of power by principal leaders.

The plenary session emphasized that the key to exercising full and rigorous governance over the Party lies in strictly managing cadres. It is imperative to implement the Party’s organizational line for the new era, rigorously strengthen cadre education and training, selection and appointment, and management and oversight, so as to build a high-caliber contingent of cadres who are politically strong, highly competent, of fine conduct, and strictly disciplined. We must uphold the correct orientation in personnel work, make precise and scientific choices in selecting and appointing officials, encourage cadres to foster and practice a sound view of political achievements, enhance their capacity to accomplish tasks and start businesses, improve the quality of cultivating and selecting outstanding young cadres, and reinforce cadre management and oversight, while comprehensively fostering, attracting, and making good use of talent.

The plenary session affirmed that Party organizations at all levels are the principal actors in exercising full and rigorous self‑governance. It is imperative to advance, in a systematic manner, the building of Party organizations across all levels and sectors, strengthening their political and organizational functions to ensure coordinated, precise, and efficient implementation of the Party’s guidelines, policies, and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. We must give full play to the exemplary role of Party organizations within central and state organs, reinforce the functions of local Party committees, coordinate and promote the development of primary-level Party organizations in all fields, prioritize Party building in emerging sectors, strengthen the ranks of Party members, and improve mechanisms for seamless integration among Party organizations at all levels.

The plenary session emphasized that rectifying conduct and enforcing discipline are powerful measures for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party. It is imperative to address Party spirit, Party conduct, and Party discipline in tandem, integrate efforts to improve conduct with disciplinary enforcement and anti-corruption work, and further leverage the experience of advancing comprehensive and strict Party governance by starting with improving conduct. We must continuously refine our work style, govern the Party with rigorous discipline, and rally the people’s support through a positive public image. To uphold the Party’s mass line in the new era, we must steadfastly implement the spirit of the CPC Central Committee’s Eight‑Point Decision on Improving Party and Government Conduct, institutionalize and sustain long‑term improvements in conduct, strengthen strict disciplinary enforcement, and fully harness the disciplinary system’s roles in education, restraint, and incentives.

The plenary session affirmed that advancing, in a coordinated manner, the principles of ensuring that no one dares to be corrupt, no one is able to be corrupt, and no one wishes to be corrupt constitutes an important strategy for comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and the fundamental guideline for the fight against corruption. It must be firmly borne in mind that the Party has no interests of its own apart from those of the working class and the broadest masses of the people, and that the Party stands in irreconcilable opposition to corruption. We must steadfastly follow the path of anti-corruption with Chinese characteristics, strengthen the CPC Central Committee’s centralized and unified leadership over anti-corruption efforts, place greater emphasis on addressing both symptoms and root causes through systemic approaches, and adhere to rigorous punishment, precise governance, effective prevention, and integrated implementation, carrying the fight against corruption through to the end. We must maintain an unrelenting high-pressure stance against corruption, enhance checks and oversight over the exercise of power, consolidate the ideological foundation of upholding integrity and rejecting corruption, and bolster the comprehensive effectiveness of advancing, in a coordinated manner, the principles of ensuring that no one dares to be corrupt, no one is able to be corrupt, and no one wishes to be corrupt.

The plenary session stated that strengthening the development of Party regulations and systems is a long-term and fundamental strategy for exercising strict governance over the Party in all respects. It is imperative to uphold the Party Constitution as the fundamental code of conduct for the entire Party, deepen institutional reforms in Party building, and promote the organic integration of law-based governance of the country and regulation-based governance of the Party, thereby providing robust institutional safeguards for the sustained advancement of strict Party governance in all respects. We must improve the system of Party regulations and rules, enhance the enforceability of these systems, and vigorously dismantle informal norms and unwritten practices.

The plenary session emphasized that, in order to steadfastly advance the Party’s self‑discipline and strict governance, it is imperative to further improve the Party and state oversight system. We must strengthen the comprehensive oversight of Party committees (leading Party groups), refine the dual‑leadership structure of disciplinary inspection and supervision work, promote the deep integration and efficient coordination of intra‑Party oversight with oversight from all sectors, and give full play to the pivotal role of inspection as a powerful tool for comprehensive oversight.

The plenary session emphasized that steadfastly advancing comprehensive and rigorous Party self‑governance is a shared political responsibility of the entire Party. It is imperative to grasp the key link of the accountability system for Party governance, improve the responsibility framework in which each entity assumes its own duties while ensuring unified coordination, refine the mechanisms for assessing and enforcing accountability, and hold those who fail to effectively govern the Party or give rise to serious problems strictly accountable.

The plenary session emphasized that thoroughly studying and implementing the spirit of the session is a major political task for the entire Party, both now and in the period ahead. It is essential to deepen our study and understanding of the session’s spirit, strengthen organizational leadership, persist in addressing pressing issues, and ensure that all measures outlined in the Decision are effectively put into practice.

The plenary session emphasized the need to ensure the smooth implementation of all tasks at year’s end and the beginning of the new year. Upholding the overarching principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, we will fully, accurately, and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy, accelerate the establishment of a new development pattern, make effective use of macro policies, tap into the potential of domestic demand, further deepen reform and opening-up, and promote sustained economic growth that is both innovative and of higher quality. This will help us achieve the major goals and tasks for this year’s economic and social development and secure a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period. We will coordinate development with security, strengthen inclusive, foundational, and safety-net‑type measures to improve people’s livelihoods, and ensure workplace safety, disaster prevention and mitigation, emergency response and relief, food and drug safety, and social stability. We will consolidate and expand on the achievements of studying and educating on establishing and practicing a correct view of official performance, and, in conjunction with leadership transitions, provide targeted training on this perspective for newly appointed members of leading bodies, especially principal officials, guiding them to consciously uphold the principles of serving the public good, delivering benefits to the people, making evidence‑based decisions, and pursuing practical, results‑oriented work, so as to deliver tangible outcomes for the people through diligent and pragmatic efforts.

The Plenary Session decided that the 21st National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held in Beijing in the second half of 2027. The Session affirmed that the 21st National Congress is an exceptionally important congress convened at a pivotal moment when our Party has basically achieved socialist modernization and is embarking on a new journey toward the Second Centenary Goal, and that it constitutes a major event in the political life of the Party and the country. All Party members must unite and lead the people of all ethnic groups across the nation in forging a common resolve and striving with one heart and one mind, working together to achieve basic socialist modernization, continuously opening up new prospects for advancing the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese‑style modernization, and welcoming the successful convening of the 21st National Congress with concrete actions.

The plenary session elected Zhang Shengmin as a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

In accordance with the Party Constitution, the Plenary Session decided to appoint Lu Dongliang, Bao Gang, Xing Shanping, Qu Yingpu, Lü Jun, Zhu Tianshu, Zhu Guoxian, Liu Jun, Liu Jie, and Liu Qiang as members of the Central Committee, filling the vacancies among the alternate members.

The plenary session reviewed and approved the report of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection on the serious disciplinary and legal violations involving Ma Xingrui, Lan Tianli, Liu Jianchao, Wang Lixia, Jin Zhuanglong, Lei Fanpei, Yi Huiman, Wang Xiangxi, Sun Shaocheng, Li Yunze, Fei Dongbin, Wu Shenghua, Yu Jianfeng, Yuan Jie, Zhang Zhongyang, Wen Gang, Jin Donghan, Fang Hongwei, and others. It also reviewed and approved the report of the CPC Central Military Commission on the serious disciplinary and legal violations involving Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, Wang Renhua, Liu Qingsong, Huang Ming, Li Qiaoming, Li Wei, Zhang Hongbing, Wang Haijiang, Zhang Lin, Wang Peng, Liu Faqing, Yang Cheng, Zhong Shaojun, Zhao Xiaozhe, Fang Yongxiang, and others. The session confirmed the decisions previously made by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to expel from the Party Ma Xingrui, Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, Lan Tianli, Liu Jianchao, Wang Lixia, Jin Zhuanglong, Lei Fanpei, Yi Huiman, Wang Xiangxi, Sun Shaocheng, Wang Renhua, Liu Qingsong, Huang Ming, Li Qiaoming, Li Wei, Zhang Hongbing, Wang Haijiang, Zhang Lin, Wang Peng, Liu Faqing, Yang Cheng, Zhong Shaojun, Zhao Xiaozhe, Fei Dongbin, Wu Shenghua, Yu Jianfeng, Yuan Jie, Zhang Zhongyang, Wen Gang, Jin Donghan, Fang Hongwei, and Fang Yongxiang; and to remove Li Yunze from his Party post.

The plenary session calls on the entire Party to rally even more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, to fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, to strive with renewed vigor and determination, to persistently advance comprehensive and rigorous Party self-governance, and to continuously open up new prospects in Party governance and national rejuvenation in the new era. It also calls on the Party to unite and lead all ethnic groups across the country in unremitting efforts to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese‑style modernization.

Editor-in-charge: He Yanhua