Record Purges as Xi Emphasizes Party Discipline at China Political Gathering

Highlights

• A record 33 members were expelled from China's Communist Party following its major annual political assembly.
• Attendance at the plenum dropped below 300 for the first time in Xi Jinping's 14 years as leader.
• Sixteen of the 33 expelled individuals were high-ranking military officials.
• The total number of members removed during Xi's third term has reached an unprecedented 51.
• The gathering's primary focus shifted to party discipline, rather than economic or social issues.

Details

The fifth plenum saw only 279 Central Committee members present, a notable decrease from the 315 attendees at the fourth plenum and 364 at the third. Among those expelled were prominent figures such as Ma Xingrui, the former party chief for Xinjiang, and former senior generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. These individuals were accused of "serious disciplinary and legal violations," a common phrase used in Xi's anti-corruption campaign.

According to Zhang Fuhai of the party's disciplinary commission, 680,000 people across the party structure faced disciplinary action in the first nine months of this year. Analysts suggest that President Xi views corruption not merely as financial misconduct but also as ideological deviation and, critically, disloyalty. Chong Ja Ian, a non-resident scholar at Carnegie China, noted that this campaign appears to be more about solidifying and maintaining authority than addressing actual corruption issues, continuing and expanding based on Xi's perceived security.

The party acknowledged that its leadership had at times "weakened or hollowed out" and pledged to uphold strict internal governance, including taking firm action against internal disorder. The heightened emphasis on discipline is seen by many as a push for loyalty, particularly in anticipation of next year's Party Congress, where the Communist Party of China will select its next leader.

Why it matters

These unprecedented purges and the strong focus on party discipline underscore Xi Jinping's efforts to further consolidate his control over the party. With the Party Congress approaching next year, these actions are widely interpreted as moves to strengthen Xi's position for a potential fourth term in power. This development could have significant implications for China's domestic politics and its international standing, though some observers also express concerns that such a concentration of power might eventually lead to a more severe power vacuum.