context: The new regulations were approved during Politburo meeting of 28 Sep 2020. The renewed stress on allegiance to Xi would indicate that internal tensions are rife. The new regulations also pave the way for Xi's consolidation of power ahead of the Party Congress in 2022.
Xinhua released the full text of the approved 'Regulations on CCP Central Committee work' on 12 Oct 2020. The new regulation came into effect following their promulgation by CCP Central Committee on 30 Sep 2020. The Regulations urge strict compliance of all localities and departments, calling for
- safeguarding the authority and centralised leadership of CCP Central Committee with Chairman Xi Jinping at the core
- specifying CPC Central Committee's leadership status, system, functions and powers, style, decision-making and self-improvement
- giving the lead to members of the CCP Central Committee, its Political Bureau and Political Bureau's Standing Committee to implement regulations and safeguard the status of Chairman Xi Jinping as the core
- urging all localities, departments, Party members and officials to implement the regulations and closely follow the CCP Central Committee with Chairman Xi Jinping at the core in terms of thinking, political orientation and action
Consolidating the core position of Xi Jinping and the centralised authority of the CCP Central Committee is crucial to ensure Party rule and the country’s long term stability, a People’s Daily commentary explains.
The very reason why the Party was able to successfully face one challenge after the other is inherently due to Xi’s core position. As external and internal conditions become increasingly complex, maintaining Xi at the core and consolidating the centralised authority of the CCP Central Committee is key to opening up new development paths both for the Party and the country, it concludes.