Xi pledge to ‘uproot sick trees’ aired weeks ahead of major party conclave

Chinese leader’s speech to corruption watchdog contains a series of blunt warnings to the ruling Communist Party

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Alcott Weiin Beijing

Published: 12:05pm, 16 Oct 2026

President Xi Jinping has pledged to “uproot sick trees” in the anti-corruption fight, according to a speech transcript published by the party’s flagship magazine ahead of a major party conclave later this month.

The warning appeared on Thursday in the magazine Qiushi, which carried fresh details of a speech Xi delivered in January at the fifth plenary session of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the party’s top anti-corruption watchdog.

The speech contained a series of blunt warnings to the party.

“The fight against corruption is a major battle that we cannot afford to lose and must never lose. We cannot stop for a moment or retreat even half a step … [We must] uproot or cut down ‘sick trees’ wherever necessary,” Xi said.