China's Top Anti-Graft Body Elects New Leadership and Sets Priorities

The 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China concluded its Sixth Plenary Session in Beijing, approving leadership appointments and detailing work priorities for the second half of the year. According to the session communique published by People's Daily, 116 CCDI members elected Zhao Shiyong as CCDI deputy secretary and Zhang Zhong as a CCDI Standing Committee member and deputy secretary. CCDI Secretary Li Xi addressed the session, which called for reinforced political inspections, strict enforcement of transition discipline, and sustained efforts against grassroots corruption.

The leadership adjustments reinforce the top echelon of China's disciplinary apparatus while the meeting's directives set the supervisory agenda for upcoming leadership reshuffles. By emphasizing transition discipline alongside targeted campaigns against grassroots graft, the plenary communique signals how the party plans to maintain oversight and compliance across administrative and local levels in the period ahead.

The 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China held its Sixth Plenary Session in Beijing on August 22, 2026, electing new senior officials and laying out supervisory priorities for the coming months, according to a communique published by People's Daily. The plenary session was attended by 116 members of the CCDI and presided over by the CCDI Standing Committee. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CCDI, delivered a speech during the gathering. In accordance with the CPC Constitution, the plenum elected Zhao Shiyong as a deputy secretary of the CCDI. The plenum also elected Zhang Zhong as a member of the CCDI Standing Committee and a deputy secretary of the CCDI, finalizing notable personnel adjustments within the central anti-graft authority. The meeting reviewed discipline inspection and supervision work conducted in the first half of 2026 and set out requirements for the next phase. The communique emphasized the necessity of adhering to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, particularly Xi's thought on party building, describing it as an essential operational guide for advancing the party's internal governance and anti-corruption efforts. Looking ahead, the CCDI highlighted several operational priorities to ensure the completion of annual targets. The commission called for strengthened political oversight, deeper political inspections, and the strict enforcement of discipline surrounding leadership transitions and reshuffles. It also mandated continuing the concentrated rectification of misconduct and corruption issues that directly affect the public. Additionally, the communique stressed the importance of systemic risk management, maintaining safety baselines, and strengthening the discipline inspection workforce. The commission reiterated its commitment to advancing a targeted campaign dedicated to standardizing, institutionalizing, and regularizing discipline inspection and supervisory operations.