Kathmandu. Senior officials of China's ruling Communist Party have adopted measures to further tighten discipline within their ranks at an important meeting held in Beijing on Thursday, according to national media here. The fifth plenum (conference) of the Central Committee, held under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, decided 'how to further strictly enhance discipline in the party', including controlling corruption among cadres, Xinhua News Agency reported. Detailed information about what these measures are has not been provided. The Central Committee has about 300 officials. In the past, conferences have been important moments for Xi to consolidate his power, and this year has continued that trend. "This gathering appears to be a preparation for General Secretary Xi to secure another term at the 21st (Communist Party) Congress next year," Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute, told AFP. "Especially tightening control over personnel matters is a necessary preparatory step to ensure Xi's term extension goes smoothly." Despite speculation, the official statement did not describe Xi as 'leader of the people (Jan Neta)'. This title would have signaled a further elevation of his political status. The Chinese leader has been campaigning against corruption for 14 years, removing thousands of officials, including dozens of Central Committee members. He remains dissatisfied with cadres who do not implement his orders. "The plenum has adopted strict measures to stop the laxity, superficiality, and ineffectiveness of party governance and has curbed some unhealthy trends that have been out of control for a long time, and has eliminated serious hidden dangers within the party, state, and armed forces," the statement said. Due to his extensive purges, this year's plenum is said to have had the lowest attendance since the death of former leader Mao Zedong in 1976. Eight seats in the Central Committee were vacant before the meeting. Ups and Downs The meeting, which began on Monday, filled some vacant positions after actions were taken. Chang Shensheng, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and anti-corruption chief, has been promoted to the Politburo, the country's highest decision-making body. With his promotion, the number of Politburo members has reached 22. The fact that many vacant positions in the CMC and the Central Committee remain unfilled indicates that 'Xi is now more cautious about who to promote', Tsang said. Xi's anti-corruption campaign has also targeted the military structure. Five of the seven members of the CMC, the party's supreme armed forces body, have been removed. In August, China removed its then-top general, Zhang Youxia, after months of anti-corruption investigation. After his dismissal, only Xi and Chang Shensheng remained in the CMC, which should have seven representatives. This plenum took place before next year's major party congress. The gathering makes a 73-year-old Xi almost certain to secure a historic fourth term, but other leadership changes are likely.
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