The Fifth Plenum of the 12th CPC Central Committee

The major Party leadership reshuffle culminated in the election of six new members to posts in the Political Bureau at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on September 24.

Elected as full members were Tian Jiyun, Qiao Shi, Li Peng, Wu Xueqian, Hu Qili and Yao Yilin, who replaced 10 veterans, Wang Zhen, Wei Guoqing, Ulanhu, Deng Yingchao (Mm. Zhou Enlai), Ye Jianying, Li Desheng, Song Renqiong, Zhang Tingfa, Nie Rongzhen and Xu Xiangqian. Political Bureau members remaining are Hu Yaobang, Deng Xiaoping, Zhao Ziyang, Li Xiannian, Chen Yun, Wan Li, Xi Zhongxun, Fang Yi, Yang Shangkun, Yang Dezhi, Yu Qiuli, Hu Qiaomu, Ni Zhifu, Peng Zhen and the two alternate members Qin Jiwei and Chen Muhua.

The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau remains unchanged except for the resignation of Ye Jianying. The Standing Committee is thus composed of Hu Yaobang, Deng Xiaoping, Zhao Ziyang, Li Xiannian and Chen Yun.

At the same time, Qiao Shi, Tian Jiyun, Li Peng, Hao Jianxiu and Wang Zhaoguo joined the Central Secretariat, while Xi Zhongxun, Gu Mu and Yao Yilin resigned from it. Secretariat members remaining are Hu Yaobang (general secretary), Hu Qili, Wan Li, Yu Qiuli, Chen Pixian and Deng Liqun.

According to a session communique, the reshuffle is intended to give new vigour to the Political Bureau and the Central Secretariat and will help further consolidate and develop the current excellent political and economic situation in China, as well as promote its overall reform and the socialist modernization drive.

(NO. 39 SEPTEMBER 30, 1985, title: "New Faces in Party Leadership")