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China · Communist Party · Superstition · Xi Jinping
China's ruling Communist Party tightened its ban on "feudal superstitions" for its 88 million members, reinforcing ideological adherence under President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive, making practices like fortune-telling and feng shui distinct disciplinary violations.
The new party rules, effective January 1, strengthen a previous 2003 version by specifically categorizing superstitious activities as a distinct violation of party discipline, as reported by Xinhua. This move aligns with the party's core Marxist belief in the scientific method, which contrasts sharply with traditional practices.
President Xi Jinping is consolidating control, demanding strict adherence to ideological teachings and prohibiting public questioning of official policies among party members. High-level officials, including former domestic security head Zhou Yongkang, faced accusations of engaging in superstitious practices, with Zhou's fortune teller, Cao Yongzheng, testifying against him.
Organizing such activities now results in expulsion, while mere participation incurs warnings, reflecting a long-standing party effort since Mao Zedong's era to purge these beliefs from its ranks.
