Beijing: In the hallowed halls of Zhongnanhai, China’s Communist Party (CPC) kicks off a pivotal four-day plenary on Monday, attended by 370 top brass in a closed-door session.
From October 20 to 23, leaders under Xi Jinping will blueprint the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), tackling a cocktail of crises: sluggish growth, soaring unemployment near 20%, US trade tariffs, military graft, and shifting global alliances.
At the heart of deliberations is revitalising the world’s second-largest economy. Priorities include spurring job creation, reversing dwindling domestic consumption, clearing excess electric vehicle inventory amid demand slumps, and countering Donald Trump’s import duties choking exports. “This isn’t just planning — it’s survival strategy,” quipped a Beijing analyst, as Xi urges cadres to navigate “turbulent international waters.”
Fresh off the scandal sheet, Xi has purged corruption from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Just days ago, two CMC heavyweights — Generals He Weidong and Miao Hua— were expelled from the party and military, alongside seven three-star officers. Accused of grave graft and rule-breaking, their cases head to military courts. This purge, part of Xi’s decade-long anti-corruption crusade that has felled lakhs of officials, signals zero tolerance as Beijing eyes military modernisation.
Tensions with Trump loom large, with Xi set to face off at month’s end APEC summit in South Korea — possibly their first meet since a recent call. Discussions will dissect the SCO summit in Tianjin, where PM Narendra Modi’s China visit after seven years thawed India ties over border rows. Meanwhile, Washington’s overtures to Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir irk Beijing, long Islamabad’s staunchest backer.
As fireworks fade from Diwali echoes in India, China’s conclave could reshape Asia’s power play. Will Xi’s vision ignite revival or fan flames of rivalry?