China’s ruling Communist Party is preparing to strengthen its oversight of officials, with plans to closely examine their personal wealth, family business interests and online activities as part of a renewed effort to tackle corruption.
The proposed measures were outlined in a resolution released on Sunday by the party’s powerful Central Committee. The document, published by state news agency Xinhua, followed the party’s annual plenary session in Beijing, which focused on governance and efforts to strengthen discipline within its ranks.
Under the new guidelines, senior officials will face closer monitoring, with stricter checks expected to apply throughout their careers. The party also plans to investigate officials whose family assets and spending appear significantly higher than their legitimate income.
The scrutiny will extend beyond officials themselves. Business activities involving their spouses and children will also come under closer examination, as the party seeks to prevent public office from being used for personal or family financial gain.
The resolution further called for tighter controls over the online conduct of party members, signalling that the leadership intends to extend its disciplinary measures into the digital space. It also identified corruption involving virtual currencies and blockchain technology as areas requiring greater attention.
President Xi Jinping has made fighting corruption a major part of his leadership since taking power more than a decade ago. His campaign has resulted in investigations involving thousands of officials, alongside the removal of senior figures from the party’s Central Committee and top military leadership.
The latest announcement comes after the plenary session, which concluded on Thursday, adopted a decision on advancing what the party described as full and rigorous governance. The measures are intended to reduce corruption among party cadres and reinforce internal discipline.
State media also confirmed that another 33 senior figures had been expelled from the party. Among them was Zhang Youxia, a former Politburo member who had served as China’s highest-ranking military officer.
Beyond corruption control, the Central Committee resolution also called for improvements to democracy within the party. It urged leaders to create more opportunities for members to share their views, express concerns and speak openly about issues affecting the organisation.
The document stressed the need to respect the role of party members and protect their democratic rights, while improving the systems through which they participate in internal decision-making.
The proposed changes reflect the leadership’s continued effort to tighten discipline across the Communist Party, with greater attention on officials’ finances, family interests, digital conduct and participation in party affairs.
