Record 33 Party Members Expelled as Discipline Dominates CCP Plenum
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The Chinese Communist Party expelled a record 33 members, including 16 military officials, at its fifth plenum, highlighting an intensified focus on party discipline under Xi Jinping.
A record 33 members were expelled from the Chinese Communist Party as the fifth plenum concluded, with attendance falling to 279 Central Committee members, the lowest since Xi Jinping took power in 2012. The gathering, held behind closed doors in Beijing, placed party discipline at the forefront, diverging from recent plenums that emphasized economic and social issues.
Sixteen of those expelled were military personnel, though the party communique only cited "serious disciplinary and legal violations" without detailing specific charges. The expulsions raise the total number of members removed during Xi's third term to 51, surpassing the 35 and five removals in his first and second terms respectively.
"In this case, the campaign will continue and expand depending on how secure Xi feels rather than any real issue with corruption," said Chong Ja Ian, a non-resident scholar with Carnegie China.
The party statement asserted that it had "squarely confronted the grim reality that party leadership had at times weakened or hollowed out" and pledged to "enforce strict party self-governance, including turning the knife inwards to curb disorder."
Among the high-ranking officials expelled were former Xinjiang party chief Ma Xingrui and former top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Their removal was described in official statements as a violation of party discipline and rules, a phrase commonly interpreted as a euphemism for corruption.
Analysts note that the heightened emphasis on discipline may be linked to preparations for next year’s Party Congress, where leadership succession will be decided. While a reshuffle is expected in 2027, many observers anticipate that Xi could remain in power for a fourth term, a tenure not seen since Mao Zedong.