Observers Note CCP Gearing Up for long-awaited 3rd Plenary Session following Xi’s Visit to Europe

During Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Europe, most members of the Standing Committee of the CCP’s political bureau conducted field research in local areas. This is seen as preparation for the long-awaited Third Plenary Session of the CCP.

Xi returned to Beijing on May 11 after his visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary from May 5.

Accompanying Xi on his European trip was Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the CCP’s political bureau and director of the General Office of the CCP’s Central Committee.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Standing Committee headed to various provinces for research, with Li Xi being the only one left in Beijing to oversee the CCP’s compound. Premier Li Qiang was in Xinjiang from May 7 to 9, Ding Xuexiang visited Dalian and Shenyang during the same period, Zhao Leji was in Henan from May 7 to 10, and Wang Huning conducted research in Guangxi from May 6 to 8.

The Third Plenary Session of the Central Committee typically takes place a year after the CCP’s National Congress, scheduled around late October or early November. However, the 20th Third Plenary Session has been delayed since last fall. The CCP recently announced that it will now be held in Beijing in July.

China affairs commentator Wang He stated to The Epoch Times on May 11, “Why has it taken so long to convene the Third Plenary Session of the CPC Central Committee? This is due to significant differences and conflicts between the central and local governments. As they prepare to hold the meeting in July, Xi Jinping is ensuring an accurate understanding of local situations by sending all Standing Committee members for investigation and research to avoid complications at the upcoming Third Plenary Session.”

Chairman of the National Committee of the China Democratic Party and U.S.-based political scientist Wang Juntao told The Epoch Times on May 11 that the CCP will hold a politburo meeting before the Third Plenary Session of the CPC Central Committee, with members conducting research beforehand. This will be followed by a Standing Committee or Politburo meeting to set the tone for the Third Plenary Session.

Issues Regarding High-Profile Personnel

Some observers believe that the high-profile personnel issues involving former Foreign Minister Qin Gang and former Defense Minister Li Shangfu will be addressed at the Third Plenary Session.

According to former CCP official Du Wen, who served as the legal advisor to Vice Premier Hu Chunhua, Qin Gang and Li Shangfu have been removed from their positions but remain CCP and Central Committee members.

Mr. Wang Juntao noted that the Third Plenary Session is not primarily about personnel matters. He stated, “The First Plenary Session of the Central Committee addresses Party personnel issues, while the Second Plenary Session deals with government personnel matters. The Third Plenary Session mainly focuses on key policy issues for the next five years.”

Mr. Wang Juntao speculated that the main agenda of the Third Plenary Session could involve Xi’s recent concept of creating “new productive forces.”

China affairs commentator Wang Gong suggested in an article for “Sound of Hope” that even though the Third Plenary Session is set for July, it may not resolve issues of Central Committee members who breached party discipline.

“Several Central Committee members, such as former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, as well as military members Li Shangfu, Li Yuchao, and Yuan Jie, may not face public expulsion from the Central Committee. The final decisions on how they will be handled by the CCP’s top leadership may not be disclosed at the Third Plenary Session,” Wang Gong wrote.

Ning Haizhong and Luo Ya contributed to this report.