Politics · China · 1 hr ago
China expels 33 Communist Party members in record purge
China expelled a record 33 Communist Party members at a gathering of senior officials in Beijing this week.
Only 279 of the 376 people named to the party’s Central Committee in 2022 attended, leaving more than a quarter absent.
Among those confirmed expelled were Zhang Youxia, formerly second in command in the military hierarchy, and Ma Xingrui, a former party secretary for Xinjiang.
Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign has widened from lower ranks to senior officials in the party and military, though it has also raised questions about whether it is used to punish disloyalty or remove rivals.
Only two members remain on the Central Military Commission, Xi and anti-graft official Zhang Shengmin, who was promoted to the party’s Politburo this week.
The next party congress is expected in the second half of 2027, when senior party positions will be refreshed and Xi is expected to seek a fourth term.
Analysts say the breadth of the purges may have left few suitable candidates for promotion.
China expelled 33 Communist Party members at its fifth plenum, a record number, as purges under Xi Jinping continued.
Only 279 of the Central Committee’s 376 members named in 2022 attended the gathering.
Confirmed expulsions included Zhang Youxia, a former senior military official, and Ma Xingrui, the former party secretary for Xinjiang.
The purges have left just two members of the seven-member Central Military Commission: Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin.
The plenum also prepared for the 21st Party congress, expected in the second half of 2027.
- Who
- The Chinese Communist Party expelled 33 members.
- What
- The party announced a record number of expulsions at its fifth plenum.
- When
- At the fifth plenum in the week of October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Beijing, China.
- Why
- The gathering focused on party governance and internal discipline; the sources say Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has intensified.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Xi Jinping has focused on stamping out corruption in the party.
Xi said the party must uproot “sick trees” and called the fight against corruption a “never-ending journey”.
The fifth plenum met, and 33 members were expelled from the party.
The 21st Party congress is expected to be held.
- Expelled members
- 33
- Central Committee attendance
- 279 of 376 members named in 2022
- Confirmed expulsions
- Zhang Youxia and Ma Xingrui
- Central Military Commission
- 2 members remain: Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin
- Next Party congress
- Expected in the second half of 2027
3 sources
What people are saying
More empty seats underscores the plenum’s focus on Xi’s vision of strict internal discipline
never-ending journey
sick trees