Key facts
- President Xi Jinping has ordered China's security and legal apparatus to eliminate risks and build a "safer" country.
- The directive comes a year ahead of the 21st Communist Party congress, which will usher in a major leadership reshuffle.
- This is Xi's first major domestic directive since his state visit to Washington.
- The People's Liberation Army's leadership reshuffle has been put on hold.
- Former vice finance minister Zhu Zhongming was appointed Shanghai's acting mayor.
President Xi Jinping has instructed China's security and legal systems to focus on risk elimination and national safety, a directive issued ahead of the pivotal 21st Communist Party congress scheduled for 2027. This marks Xi's first significant domestic policy announcement following his recent state visit to Washington, underscoring a renewed emphasis on domestic stability.
Intelligence Online reported that the People's Liberation Army's leadership reshuffle has been temporarily halted to allow ongoing purges to continue. An internal document indicated that 20 out of 26 leadership posts within the Central Military Commission remain vacant, with only six positions filled to maintain minimal operational capacity during the purge.
In parallel, China has seen senior personnel changes, with former vice finance minister Zhu Zhongming appointed as Shanghai's acting mayor. This appointment is part of a series of senior personnel changes preceding the 2027 Communist Party congress.