China’s anti-corruption campaign is increasingly targeting not only financial misconduct but also perceived political disloyalty, according to a recent analysis of official disciplinary records.
A review by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) of more than 940 disciplinary reports issued by China’s top anti-graft authorities between 2013 and May 2026 found a noticeable shift in emphasis. While corruption, bribery, and abuse of power remain central allegations, official notices are increasingly highlighting political offenses such as “improper discussion of central policies,” disloyalty to the Communist Party (CCP), and failure to implement directives from Beijing.
The trend reflects the growing importance of political discipline under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who has repeatedly stressed the need for Party members to demonstrate “unwavering loyalty” to Beijing’s central leadership or risk being investigated, ousted from the CCP, or even face criminal prosecution.
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Political offenses featured prominently
According to the WSJ report, disciplinary announcements have become increasingly political in tone. In addition to accusations of corruption, officials are often criticized for being “disloyal and dishonest,” engaging in “double-dealing,” or failing to faithfully carry out central government directives.
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One phrase that has drawn particular attention is 妄议中央, often translated as “improperly discussing central policies” or “making inappropriate comments about the central leadership.” The term has appeared in a number of recent high-profile disciplinary cases.
On June 5, Chinese authorities announced that Wang Fengchao, former deputy Party secretary and mayor of Chengdu, had been expelled from the CCP and removed from public office. The official notice accused him of multiple violations, including “improper discussion of central policies.” Notably, authorities did not disclose the specific remarks or actions that led to the allegation.
Similarly, former Hainan provincial Party official Ni Qiang was accused earlier this year of “improperly discussing major central policies” alongside other disciplinary violations. As with many such cases, official statements provided little detail regarding the underlying conduct.
Loyalty as a governing priority
Political analysts have long viewed Xi’s anti-corruption campaign as serving both disciplinary and political functions. Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has repeatedly emphasized ideological unity, Party discipline, and loyalty to the central leadership. Observers note that language surrounding political reliability has become increasingly prominent in official Party communications over the past decade.
The campaign has coincided with broader efforts to strengthen Party oversight throughout government institutions, state-owned enterprises, and the military. Officials are routinely required to participate in political study sessions and demonstrate adherence to Party directives.
Supporters of the campaign argue that stricter discipline helps improve governance and combat corruption. Critics, however, contend that the growing focus on political loyalty may discourage internal debate and limit policy discussions within the Party.
An evolution of Xi’s anti-corruption campaign
The anti-corruption drive remains one of Xi’s signature policies. Since its launch more than a decade ago, it has resulted in investigations, disciplinary actions, and prosecutions involving thousands of officials across all levels of government. While financial misconduct continues to play a major role in disciplinary cases, recent notices suggest that political conduct is receiving greater scrutiny than in the campaign’s earlier years.
The increasing appearance of terms such as “disloyal,” “dishonest,” and “improper discussion of central policies” highlights how political discipline has become an increasingly important component of Beijing’s governance strategy.
As China’s leadership continues to emphasize ideological conformity and centralized authority, analysts say the language used in disciplinary notices offers a revealing window into the evolving priorities of the CCP under Xi Jinping.
Editorial note: Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Vision Times.
