{
  "id": 17883411,
  "title": "China’s Communist Party plenum targets passive ‘nice guys’ in anti-corruption push",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/chinas-communist-party-plenum-targets-passive-nice-guys-in-anti",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T01:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3373017/chinas-communist-party-plenum-targets-passive-nice-guys-anti-corruption-push"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "China's ruling Communist Party has announced plans to target \"old nice persons\" within its ranks as part of a tougher anti-corruption campaign ahead of a major leadership reshuffle in late 2027. The term \"lao hao ren\" refers to officials who are unprincipled and conflict-averse, turning a blind eye to misconduct to protect their careers and social standing. A resolution adopted at the recent 20th Central Committee's fifth plenum emphasized the need to \"sharpen the weapon\" of criticism and self-criticism through periodic \"democratic life meetings\". These meetings will ensure leading cadres actively participate in peer critiques and confessions. The party explicitly opposes self-preservation through passive behavior and calls on cadres to be courageous in exposing and correcting shortcomings and errors.",
  "summary": "China’s ruling Communist Party has pledged to target “old nice persons” within its ranks as it steps up its anti-corruption drive ahead of a major leadership reshuffle next year. Rendered in Chinese as lao hao ren, the term refers to unprincipled, conflict-averse officials who turn a blind eye to misconduct to protect their own careers and social standing. A resolution adopted at the close of the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "China’s Communist Party tightens oversight of officials",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/chinas-communist-party-tightens-oversight-of-officials",
        "published": "2026-11-01T08:24:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}