Dear reader,

Along the Xiamen coastline, a giant slogan proclaiming the goal of reunification is visible from the outlying Taiwanese island of Quemoy. But tangible actions speak louder than the slogans plastered across the city, like the bridge designed to eventually link Xiamen with Quemoy – or Kinmen as it's also known. The mainland Chinese section is nearing completion, gleaming in the sun and embodying a far greater ambition.

Amber Wang, Senior Reporter, China

The Big Picture

Fifth plenum
Beijing wraps up a key conclave on party discipline and governance as it prepares for a top leadership reshuffle next year.

• Why it matters: the next area to watch is whether Beijing will restore military representation in the Politburo
• And, it takes aim at "unwritten rules" in the latest bid to clean up the party
• Also, it names more defence industry and military officials under a corruption cloud 
• Meanwhile, the PLA is on a new austerity drive and it has been urged to "live a tight life"

Taking flight 
China's GJ-21 stealth drone carries out its first take-off and landing from the Type 076 Sichuan warship.

• Why it matters: it marks a milestone in the path towards being commissioned 
• Meanwhile, images show the rapid construction of China's fourth aircraft carrier
• Also, a rare satellite image emerges of China's secretive spaceplane in orbit

Big numbers

16 – military generals expelled from the party during the fifth plenum

162 – Central Committee full members out of 205 who attended the conclave

Big names

Zhang Shengmin, a key player in the military anti-corruption campaign, is promoted to the Politburo 

Liu Jianchao, once a rising star in diplomacy, is confirmed as being under investigation

Direct Quote

“It is imperative to exercise rigorous oversight over the education, training, selection, appointment, management and supervision of officials and to bulid a high-quality team [that is] politically steadfast, highly competent, exemplary in conduct and strict in discipline.”

Communique from the fifth plenum of the 20th Central Committee