China's Fourth Plenum Solidifies Xi's Power, Prioritizes Tech Self-Reliance Amid Sweeping Purges

The Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded its Fourth Plenary Session in Beijing from October 20-23, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the nation's future trajectory. President Xi Jinping reaffirmed his unchallenged authority while outlining a significant shift in China's economic development model, according to vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com. This strategic pivot prioritizes technological self-reliance, aiming to bolster domestic innovation and reduce foreign dependencies.

A key outcome of the high-level meeting was the approval of proposals for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which will center on "high-quality development" and scientific and technological independence, as reported by Xinhua. This plan underscores Beijing's determination to navigate global economic and geopolitical pressures by fostering robust domestic capabilities.

The plenum also saw the expulsion of 11 full Central Committee members and four alternate members, the largest such purge since 2017, The independent confirmed. This extensive reshuffle, particularly within the military, highlights the ongoing anti-corruption campaign and reinforces President Xi's firm grip on power.

Many of those removed were high-ranking military officials, indicating a deeper issue of trust within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and a concerted effort to cleanse the institution, Vision Times suggested. The low attendance of Central Committee members at the plenum further underscored the scale of these purges, according to the Asia Society Policy Institute.

China's intensified focus on technological self-reliance is a direct response to escalating US technology restrictions and trade tensions, Bloomberg reported. Beijing aims to secure competitiveness in critical advanced technology industries, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum computing.

The strategic blueprint also emphasizes boosting domestic demand, strengthening innovation, and building a unified national market to promote "common prosperity," as detailed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. This approach seeks to stabilize the economy and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

Analysts from the German Marshall Fund noted that the plenum's outcomes signal a continuation of policies under Xi Jinping, emphasizing state-led guidance, technology, self-reliance, and party control. This trajectory is expected to shape China's economic, social, and technological development for the coming decade.

• Background Context and Historical Perspective: The Fourth Plenum, held from October 20-23, 2025, is a crucial event in China's political calendar, historically used for matters of governance, institutional reform, or major policy shifts, as explained by The Wire. This particular plenum was significant for approving the draft of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and deepening President Xi Jinping's influence over the party's direction.

• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: President Xi Jinping emerged from the plenum with his authority solidified, despite significant personnel changes, Asia Sentinel reported. The Central Committee members, though reduced in number due to expulsions, endorsed his vision for technological independence and "high-quality development." The military, particularly the PLA, is a key stakeholder undergoing significant internal restructuring due to the anti-corruption campaign.

• Economic Implications of Tech Self-Reliance: China's accelerated push for technological self-reliance, particularly in semiconductors and AI, aims to reduce dependence on Western suppliers and counter external risks, Xinhua stated. This strategy, as highlighted by ClubIT&C, could lead to a fragmentation of global supply chains and the emergence of separate "technospheres," impacting Western manufacturers reliant on Chinese components.

• Anti-Corruption Campaign and Purges: The expulsion of 11 full and four alternate Central Committee members, including several high-ranking generals, represents the largest purge since 2017, according to The Independent. This ongoing anti-corruption drive, which has seen thousands of officials punished, serves to reinforce Xi Jinping's control and ensure loyalty within the party and military ranks, as noted by ANI News.

• The 15th Five-Year Plan's Objectives: The upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will prioritize "high-quality development" through "new quality productive forces," according to an analysis by Erik Green and Olivia Parker. Key objectives include enhancing self-reliance in science and technology, deepening economic system reforms, improving quality of life, and strengthening national security, as outlined by the Chinese Communist Party.

• Impact on Global Relations and Trade: China's intensified focus on domestic demand and technological independence, as reported by Fast Company, is seen as a response to elevated trade tensions with the U.S. This shift could lead to China demanding more from the U.S. in trade negotiations and potentially accelerating global supply chain fragmentation, according to economist Gary Ng.

• Future Developments and Next Steps: China's government is expected to unveil detailed targets for innovation, investment, and industrial reform during the formal rollout of the 15th Five-Year Plan in March 2026, Xinhua reported. This will likely include greater state support for key sectors such as chips, electric vehicles, and clean energy, further testing Beijing's ability to balance innovation with growth and maintain foreign investor confidence.