Xi seeking stronger Communist Party discipline

China’s political leaders and elites have begun a four-day meeting to discuss strengthening the ruling Communist Party’s discipline, as Chinese President Xi Jinping pushes for greater loyalty and reliability from officials while deepening his years-long campaign against corruption. This week’s closed-door gathering, known as the fifth plenum of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, comes roughly a year before Xi is widely expected to secure his fourth five-year term as the party’s leader and personnel changes to key leadership bodies. While Xi has consolidated his grip on power, analysts say the plenum will offer him an opportunity to…