Politburo to discuss strengthening Communist rule

The Communist Party of China (CPC) will discuss a constitutional amendment at its early November congress aimed at strengthening one-party rule over the next five years, Reuters reported, quoting state media. State newspaper Xinhua did not expand on the precise nature of the amendment. “The meeting stressed the importance of making a draft amendment to CPC Constitution that conforms to the need of the CPC’s theoretic innovation, practice and development and will also promote the CPC’s work and strengthen its construction,” Xinhua reported, citing a statement from the meeting. Cheng Li, an expert in Chinese politics at the Brooking Institution, said that the amendment could include new language on the rule of law and intra-party democracy. Such amendments have previously formed the guiding principles of major policy changes such as China’s movement towards a more market-based economy.