By Karim Hammam
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expelled a record 33 senior officials from the Communist Party at the Central Committee's fifth plenum, marking the largest purge in modern Chinese history.
Record Expulsions at Party Plenum
The four-day closed-door meeting in Beijing ended Thursday, with state news agency Xinhua reporting the expulsions. Sixteen of those removed are from the military, including former Central Military Commission vice chairman Zhang Youxia and former Xinjiang party chief Ma Xingrui. Other notable names include Liu Zhenli, former Joint Staff Department chief; Liu Jianchao, former foreign affairs department head; Jin Zhuanglong, former industry minister; Yi Huiman, former securities regulator chairman; and Zhong Shaojun, a former secretary to Xi who later headed the military commission's general office.
Attendance Falls to Historic Low
Only 279 of 376 full and alternate members attended, the first time attendance fell below 300 in Xi's 14-year rule. More than a quarter of original members were absent, many due to purges. Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute said the empty seats underscore the plenum's focus on strict internal discipline.
Power Consolidation and Military Restructuring
The purges solidify Xi's absolute control over party leadership and the military. The Central Military Commission has been reduced from seven members to two – Xi and Zhang Shengmin, the military's anti-corruption chief. Zhang Shengmin was elected to the Politburo, becoming its only military member.
Party Discipline Campaign Intensifies
The party communique said it addressed lax self-supervision, curbed unhealthy tendencies, remedied deep-seated problems, and removed serious dangers within the party, state, and military. A decision on "full and rigorous party self-governance" stresses stronger centralized leadership. Over two million people have been disciplined since 2012 for "pointless formalities, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance," with 680,000 disciplined in the first nine months of this year. Expulsions were cited for "serious violations of discipline and law," routine wording that does not specify accusations.
21st Party Congress Set for 2027
The plenum set the 21st Party Congress for the second half of 2027, when Xi is widely expected to secure a fourth term, potentially making him the longest-serving ruler since Mao Zedong. Analysts note the wide-ranging purges may leave few suitable candidates for promotion.
