In an article published on November 13, 2026, Li Hongzhong set out priorities for strengthening China’s Party and state oversight system. The article discusses a decision adopted by the Communist Party of China’s 20th Central Committee at its fifth plenary session. It is an explanation of the decision and its proposed implementation, not a notice that every measure described has already taken effect.
Li argues that internal Party oversight should lead a broader system involving state supervisory bodies, legislatures, administrative and judicial institutions, auditors, the public and the media. He points to earlier changes, including the establishment of national and local supervisory commissions, revisions to Party inspection rules, and laws governing state supervision and auditing.
The article identifies several implementation priorities: making political oversight more specific and routine; strengthening oversight of senior officials and leadership teams; coordinating disciplinary inspection and state supervision; improving oversight at county, township and village levels; and tightening scrutiny of major decisions, appointments, projects and large expenditures. It also calls for better coordination among different forms of oversight and more follow-up on Party inspections.
One proposed reporting requirement would have lower-level discipline inspection bodies report at least once every six months to higher-level bodies on how leadership teams—particularly their principal officials—exercise their authority, as well as on the inspectors’ own oversight work. The article also calls for a revision of the Party’s internal oversight regulations. These are described as tasks to carry out, not as completed changes.