‘No more presidents’ in Xi Jinping's latest anti-corruption battle
Under new rules, Beijing cracks down on regional branches of organisations, while limiting the use of titles for local officials because they fuel the proliferation of positions and corruption. In reality, this is another step to control organised civil society. Meanwhile, Xi promoted two senior generals after purging the military.
Beijing (AsiaNews) – No more presidents in local organisations in China. In the "anti-corruption" campaign that has accompanied the increasingly tight control over Chinese society, Xi Jinping's administration has chosen a new symbolic target.
New rules will come into force on 1 August, restricting the capacity of social organisations to set up regional branches and limiting the use of titles such as "president" or "chairman" for heads of local organisations.
The new Administrative Measures for Branches and Representative Offices of Social Organisations, published by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, are part of a broader process promoted by Beijing to centralise and monitor the voluntary sector.
According to the authorities, the aim is to restore social organisations to their original public service role, eliminating practices considered a source of irregularities and private financial gain.
The measure was preceded by the publication of seven cases of violations committed by national trade associations and chambers of commerce, presented by the authorities as examples of distortions that need to be corrected.
In recent years, many national associations had in fact expanded their presence across the country through a network of provincial and municipal branches.
These organisations have been accused of operating with broad margins of autonomy, raising funds, carrying out commercial activities, and awarding positions and prizes without effective oversight from their central organisation.
The new provisions explicitly prohibit the establishment of territorial branches, organisations based on clan or family ties, or structures with overlapping tasks. Among the most unusual aspects is the standardisation of titles.
Local chapters will no longer be able to use titles such as "president," a practice that, according to the ministry, fuels the proliferation of purely honorific positions and encourage the "trading" of titles, resulting in a loss of credibility for the organisations.
To justify the crackdown, the authorities cite several recent cases. One refers to the China Xiao Jun Research Association. Set up to promote studies of writer Xiao Jun, it has been accused of creating organisations with national names for commercial activities unrelated to their mission.
Another example is the China Medical Supplies Association, sanctioned for developing a network of local subsections and alliances in violation of the rules.
The reform is part of President Xi Jinping's broader strategy of strengthening the Communist Party's oversight of organised civil society.
In recent years, Beijing has progressively tightened the regulatory framework for foundations, associations, non-governmental organisations, and professional bodies, demanding greater administrative transparency but also stricter adherence to government policy guidelines.
Meanwhile, just today, Xi Jinping presided over the ceremony in Beijing that saw two senior officers of the People's Liberation Army promoted to the rank of general.
Zhang Shuguang, secretary of the Military Discipline Commission and director of the Supervisory Commission of the Central Military Commission, and Wang Gang, commander of the Air Force, received their new rank.
The two promotions are part of a broader reorganisation of the armed forces' leadership pursued by Xi Jinping, who in recent years has accompanied his anti-corruption campaign with a vast purge of high-ranking officials.
The investigation particularly targeted the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and the Armaments Development Department, leading to the removal of several military commanders and officials.
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19/09/2007
