Power-hungry Xi Jinping's newfound 'magic wand'

President dreams up new state institution to crack down on corruption

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the plenary session of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in Beijing on Jan. 6 (Xinhua/Kyodo photo).

TOKYO -- China's move to establish a new state institution as part of President Xi Jinping's signature anti-corruption campaign is expected to help him retain his right-hand man and further consolidate power.

"Ostensibly, the national supervisory commission is to become an institution that is independent of the Communist Party and cracks down on corruption," one Beijing-based researcher said. "But in reality, it will become Xi's magic wand ahead of top-level leadership changes this autumn."

The researcher, who is well-versed in issues related to Chinese government and ruling party organizations, also said the institution's future is now a main topic of discussion in Chinese political circles.

The national supervisory commission is to be set up in 2018; its details remain shrouded in mystery.

The Chinese Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection wrapped up an annual plenary session on Jan. 8. It adopted a communique vowing to push the enactment of a national supervision law and make preparations for the establishment of the new institution.

The current administrative supervision law is to be abolished and replaced by the national supervision law, which will target all those in public office.

The Ministry of Supervision, which answers to the State Council, China's cabinet, is also to be disbanded.

Li Shulei, a prominent 52-year-old policy adviser to Xi, was promoted to deputy chief of the discipline commission during the commission's recent plenary session.

Li is believed to be closely involved in efforts to work out details of the national supervisory commission. He is also tipped as a candidate to join the Politburo.

A year ago, Xi advocated the creation of a new supervision system that would cover all state organizations and civil servants. The CCP has been considering such a system behind the scenes.