Inside the Drafting of China's Party Self-Governance Resolution: Eight Months, 200-Plus Measures

New details have emerged about how the Communist Party of China drafted its resolution on full and rigorous party self-governance, adopted at the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee, with the document laying out more than 200 concrete measures under a drafting group headed by General Secretary Xi Jinping.

Eight months of drafting, with input sought widely

The resolution took more than eight months to draft, with the drafting group holding five plenary meetings and 35 specialized sessions. During the consultation process, the group received 1,173 suggested revisions, of which 208 were incorporated into the final text.

A focus on “white glove” corruption and emerging risks

The resolution singles out several newer forms of corruption for attention, including the use of proxies, sometimes described as white gloves, to channel benefits, delayed payoffs to officials arranged for after retirement, and risks tied to internet technology, virtual currencies and blockchain.

Covering more than 100 million party members

The Communist Party now counts more than 100 million members. Analysts said the resolution is intended to provide an institutional framework for party governance through the 15th Five-Year Plan period, covering 2026 to 2030, and to align with the broader push to modernize the country's governance system and capacity.

Three real world challenges

The resolution also identifies three challenges facing party building today: safeguarding national sovereignty amid sweeping changes in the international landscape, advancing reform while preserving social stability, and sustaining the party's advanced nature and integrity over time.