Xi Jinping leads early Politburo meeting to signal anti-corruption drive ahead of plenum

What happened: China's Communist Party held an early monthly Politburo meeting on Friday, chaired by Xi Jinping, to review a report on the seventh round of inspections by the 20th Central Committee. Key numbers: The Politburo now has 21 members. The meeting came ahead of a major party conclave next week. Why it matters: The early meeting signals a doubling down on the high-pressure anti-corruption campaign ahead of the plenum.

China's Communist Party held an early monthly Politburo meeting on Friday, chaired by Xi Jinping, to review a report on the seventh round of inspections by the 20th Central Committee.

The early meeting signals a doubling down on the high-pressure anti-corruption campaign ahead of the plenum.