Xinhua on December 27, disclosed that China's 25 Politburo members "were asked to conduct criticism and self-criticism in light of work experience" during two sessions of the Politburo on December 25 and 26 both of which were chaired by Xi Jinping. The were also questioned on "how they have taken the lead to implement Xi's instructions and key Party regulations and policies." Xi Jinping reportedly made a speech at the meeting, during which he lauded "democratic centralism" -- one of the founding principles of Leninism in which the top leadership is all-powerful -- and called for unity within the party. Xinhua (December 27 said the speeches of the "comrades of the Central Political Bureau have grasped and embodied three key points. First, take the lead in studying and implementing Xi Jinping's new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, strictly implement the "Several Provisions of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Strengthening and Maintaining the Centralized and Unified Leadership of the Party Central Committee", resolutely achieve "two maintenance", and consciously strengthen political responsibility and improve Political ability. Second, take the lead in implementing the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, implement the new development concept, respond to the new situation and new challenges, pay close attention to the implementation of the work, and dare to overcome difficulties. The third is to take the lead in strictly implementing the spirit of the eight central regulations and its implementation rules, to be honest and self-disciplined, to manage the children of the family and the staff around them, and to prevent and overcome formalism and bureaucracy."

(Comment: This step, used by Mao Zedong and not seen since the days of the Cultural Revolution, indicates that Xi Jinping is under pressure within the Party and is trying to defuse opposition. Xi Jinping has, incidentally, thus far punished more than 1.5 million officials in the campaign against corruption.)