In recent years, the CPC Discipline Inspection Commission has cracked down on officials' private acquisition, possession and reading of political banned books, reflecting its increasing urgency for internal control and high vigilance against ideological risks.

As of the end of October 2024, the CPC Discipline Inspection Commission has charged at least 15 senior officials for being found to have read or possessed banned books. In 2023, the number of officials charged with similar charges was 8. From 2019 to date, a total of 29 officials have been punished by the party for being involved in banned books. This series of events has aroused the outside world's attention to the crisis within the CPC system, indicating that officials' curiosity about political taboos has gradually become universal.

Severe crackdown on reading banned books and internal repercussions

The 15 officials investigated in 2024 came from many provinces such as Gansu, Chongqing, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Henan and Guangdong, involving many fields such as government, CPPCC, colleges and universities, and financial institutions. This shows that the reading of banned books has become common in different regions and departments. Official news pointed out that nearly half of the banned books came from abroad, showing the CPC's vigilance against external information.

A scholar from the CCP Party School pointed out: "In the new era, control is getting stronger and stronger. The stricter the education of party members and officials, the more they cannot be allowed to access banned books, especially overseas publications." This trend reflects the CCP's increasingly strict ideological control over party members to ensure their "loyalty."

The revision of the CCP's "Disciplinary Regulations" in 2023 also increased the control of banned books and increased the violation of privately reading materials with serious political issues. This policy adjustment not only reflects the fear of information dissemination, but also reveals the CCP's nervous mentality when facing internal and external challenges.

Double standards of law and morality

Although the reading of banned books has been severely cracked down, legal professionals generally believe that it is less likely to be sentenced for obtaining, holding or reading banned books. Chen Bing, currently the chief researcher of the Pacific Think Tank in the United States, said that only acts involving the publication, printing, and sale of banned books and periodicals may constitute a criminal offense. Usually, reading banned books is mainly sanctioned by party discipline rather than criminal law.

Well-known legal scholars also said that reading banned books is not easy to convict in law and is often regarded as a moral issue rather than criminal responsibility. The CCP’s handling of these officials is mainly carried out through party discipline rather than formal legal procedures.

Taboos from history to reality

The scope of banned books is wide, covering multiple fields such as politics, history and society. According to official CCP data, banned books usually include works that criticize the party’s policies, leaders and its history. These books are regarded as "reactionary" within the party and must be strictly controlled.

Scholars at the CCP Party School pointed out that although the cultural propaganda in the Mao Zedong era has changed compared with the current control, the core purpose has not changed, that is, the hope that party members will maintain absolute awe and loyalty to the leaders. Banning books obviously played a counterproductive role in this process.

The famous writer Yu Jie criticized the CCP’s banning book policy, believing that it would only lead to a lack of innovation and vitality in society. His works, such as "China's Godfather Xi Jinping", are banned in China but are still widely circulated overseas, showing the unstoppable nature of information. He believes that truth and truth cannot be stifled, and the banning book policy will only make the CCP more vulnerable.

The vicious cycle of control and crisis

The CCP’s suppression of banned books is interpreted by analysts as a manifestation of an intensifying internal crisis. As the economy declines and social unrest intensifies, the CCP has become increasingly reliant on thought control to maintain its rule. Political scholars in Taiwan point out that the Xi Jinping era has been strengthening the CCP's authority by reshaping officials' thoughts, strengthening the emphasis on party schools, and strictly controlling the media.

Nevertheless, more and more officials are beginning to come into contact with banned books, which shows the potential signs of dissatisfaction with the system. Some scholars believe that reading banned books may promote reforms within the system to some extent.

Where is the CCP going?

The CCP's suppression of officials reading banned books and the strengthening of thought control reflect its fragility and powerlessness in the face of internal and external pressures. Although strict control measures still exist, with the development of information technology and the integration of ideas, more and more officials may seek the truth in taboos. This contradictory situation will not only affect the future direction of the CCP, but will also have a profound impact on the transformation of the entire society.