China’s latest political crackdown has seen Xi Jinping purge senior Chinese officials, with the ruling Communist Party expelling 33 officials, including prominent military figures, ahead of the 2027 leadership congress. The move signals renewed efforts to tighten political discipline and strengthen control over the armed forces.
The expulsions were confirmed at a key party meeting that concluded on Thursday. Among those removed were former senior military figures Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Sixteen of the 33 expelled officials belonged to the military, according to the official communique.
The development comes as China prepares for its 2027 Communist Party Congress, where Xi, 73, is widely expected to seek an unprecedented fourth five-year term as party chief.
Xi Elevates Key Military Ally
During the meeting, General Zhang Shengmin was promoted to the Political Bureau, the Communist Party’s top decision-making body. He is regarded as an important ally of Xi and has played a central role in the military’s anti-corruption campaign.
Zhang previously served as the military’s anti-corruption chief from 2018 until July this year. He was also promoted to vice-chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC) last year.
The CMC, headed by Xi, oversees China’s armed forces. Following the latest removals, the seven-member commission has been reduced to just two members: Xi and Zhang.
The changes have raised questions about leadership stability within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which has faced sustained scrutiny over alleged corruption among senior commanders.
Record Number of Officials Removed
The latest expulsions bring the total number of Central Committee members removed during Xi’s third term to 51. The corresponding figures were 35 during his first term and five during his second.
China’s anti-corruption watchdog also reported that 680,000 people across the party apparatus were disciplined during the first nine months of this year.
In its statement, the party acknowledged weaknesses in internal governance and pledged to continue enforcing strict discipline. It credited Xi’s anti-corruption campaign, launched after he came to power in 2012, with addressing governance failures across the party, state and military.
Plenum Attendance Draws Attention
The meeting also recorded unusually low attendance. Only 162 of the Central Committee’s 205 full members participated, alongside 117 alternate members.
A total of 279 committee members attended, marking the first time during Xi’s 14 years in power that attendance at such a meeting fell below 300. The figures alone, however, do not establish why members were absent or indicate internal dissent.
The plenum also confirmed an investigation into Liu Jianchao, former head of the Communist Party’s International Department, and his removal from the Central Committee.
Relevant Link: State Council of China
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