Chen Wenqing: Difference between revisions

== Central Political and Legal Affairs secretary ==

At the [[20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party|20th National Congress]] in October 2022, Chen was made a member of the [[20th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party|Politburo]] and [[Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party|Central Secretariat]].<ref name="Mattis&Brazil" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Zhang |first1=Albee |last2=Woo |first2=Ryan |date=2022-10-23 |title=China's new elite Communist Party leadership |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-new-elite-communist-party-leadership-2022-10-23/ |access-date=2022-10-23}}</ref> As the only member of the Politburo with a background in state security, Chen was made head of the [[Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission]] (CPLAC), succeeding [[Guo Shengkun]].<ref name=":4" /> John P. Burns, emeritus professor of politics at the [[University of Hong Kong]], said Chen's appointment signaled the party's insecurity both internationally with a more contentious relationship with the US and Europe, and domestically on issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, and other cities.<ref name=":4" /> In November 2022, after [[2022 COVID-19 protests in China|protests]] broke out against COVID-19 restrictions, Chen called for a crackdown on "hostile forces".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zhang |first=Phoebe |date=30 November 2022 |title=China’s security chief vows crackdown on ‘hostile forces’ after protests against Covid restrictions |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3201516/chinas-security-chief-vows-crackdown-hostile-forces-after-protests-against-covid-restrictions |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref>

In a meeting in February 2023, Chen said all political and legal organizations must show "absolute loyalty" to the Party.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zhang |first=Phoebe |date=7 February 2023 |title=‘Absolute loyalty’ top priority as China readies security for crucial legislative meetings |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3209397/absolute-loyalty-top-priority-china-readies-security-crucial-legislative-meetings |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> In May 2023, in his first trip overseas as CPLAC secretary, Chen visited Russia to attend the International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, meeting FIS Director [[Sergey Naryshkin]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Xie |first=Kawala |date=26 May 2023 |title=China, Russia hold security talks in Moscow amid tensions with the West |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3221956/china-russia-hold-security-talks-moscow-amid-tensions-west |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> He took a five-day trip Xinjiang in June 2023, where he said law enforcement should be used to tackle terrorism and crime.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zhuang |first=Sylvie |date=20 June 2023 |title=Use the law to tackle terrorism in Xinjiang, China’s security chief says |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3224769/use-law-tackle-terrorism-xinjiang-chinas-security-chief-says |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> He visited Chengdu in June 2023 ahead of the [[FISU World University Games]], calling for an improvement in internal security.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zhao |first=Ziwen |date=24 July 2023 |title=Xi Jinping set to welcome world leaders to China as delayed World University Games start |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3228712/xi-jinping-set-welcome-world-leaders-china-delayed-world-university-games-start |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> In July 2023, Chen directed CCP committees at all levels to "attach great importance to, concern themselves with, and support covert front work."<ref>{{cite news |last= |date=2023-07-15 |title=习近平极限思维新发展 强化隐蔽战线 |language=zh-Hans |website=[[Radio France Internationale]] |url=https://www.rfi.fr/cn/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD/20230715-%E4%B9%A0%E8%BF%91%E5%B9%B3%E6%9E%81%E9%99%90%E6%80%9D%E7%BB%B4%E6%96%B0%E5%8F%91%E5%B1%95-%E5%BC%BA%E5%8C%96%E9%9A%90%E8%94%BD%E6%88%98%E7%BA%BF |access-date=2023-07-19}}</ref> In the same month, he also told a meeting of judges and prosecutors to direct a crackdown on telecommunication network fraud.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chan |first=Minnie |date=30 July 2023 |title=China renews attack on rampant telecoms and online fraud |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3229418/china-renews-attack-rampant-telecoms-and-online-fraud |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> He paid an inspection trip to [[Gansu]], where he called on Tibet and Xinjiang to ensure stability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zheng |first=William |date=27 August 2023 |title=China’s security tsar calls on Tibet’s neighbouring provinces to take ‘clear stand’ against ethnic separatism |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3232468/chinas-security-tsar-calls-tibets-neighbours-take-clear-stand-against-ethnic-separatism |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> in August 2023, In September 2023, Chen visited Germany, where he attended a China-Germany high-level security dialogue in Berlin, the first time a top ranking security official from China visited Germany.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cai |first=Vanessa |date=28 September 2023 |title=For first time, China sends security chief to Germany for key talks as Beijing eyes closer cooperation with Berlin |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3236154/first-time-china-sends-security-chief-germany-key-talks-beijing-eyes-closer-cooperation-berlin |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> Chen attended a conference about the "Fengqiao experience" to ensure prevention and mediation by grass-roots bodies and the public.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zhang |first=Phoebe |date=11 November 2023 |title=Mao praised it, Xi Jinping is pushing it: what renewed focus on ‘Fengqiao experience’ says about China ‘in the new era’ |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3241179/mao-praised-it-xi-jinping-pushing-it-what-renewed-focus-fengqiao-experience-says-about-china-new-era |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref>