China's anti-corruption watchdog has warned that corrupt party members and public officials have no way out, regardless of their rank or whether they have already retired. The warning, aimed at retired senior officials, comes as the 5th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (the 5th Plenum)—where a significant reshuffle of CCP Central Committee members is anticipated—approaches on the 26th.

On the 17th, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission published a commentary on their official website stating, "Over the past week, it was publicly disclosed that two senior officials managed by the Party Central Committee have been placed under investigation or stripped of their party membership." The commentary added, "This once again demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, to advance the anti-corruption struggle, sending a strong signal that there are no sanctuaries, no exceptions, and no tolerance in the fight against corruption."

The commentary continued, "Regardless of the height of one's position, the scale of one's contributions, or retirement status, those who commit corruption will find no way out and no so-called 'safe landing.' Officials must always remain loyal to the Party, reject corruption, and uphold integrity."

"Safe landing" is a term originally used to describe the successful return of an aircraft or spacecraft capsule. In Chinese politics, however, it refers to officials who retire peacefully without facing investigation, punishment, or accountability for past wrongdoings. The commission's latest warning is expected to prompt even high-ranking veterans or those who believed their past achievements guaranteed a "safe landing" to lay low and exercise extreme caution.

The two senior officials referenced by the commission are Huang Qifan, 74, former mayor of Chongqing, and Bao Hui, former director of the Standing Committee of the Chengdu Municipal People's Congress in Sichuan Province. Huang, often dubbed a "political tumbler" for surviving multiple political storms, was revealed on the 13th to be under investigation for corruption alongside his son. Bao was stripped of her party membership on the 14th for serious violations of discipline and law, nine months after her investigation by authorities was first made public.

Ahead of next year's Party Congress—where General Secretary Xi Jinping’s fourth term is set to be decided—the upcoming 5th Plenum is widely expected to replace 20 to 30 Central Committee members who have fallen due to corruption charges or are subject to generational change with new figures.

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