Chinese Communist Party expels 33 officials, including 16 linked to the military

Dragon Media News Desk

The fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) confirmed the expulsion of 33 officials from the Party, including 16 with military ties. The meeting, held in Beijing from October 26 to 29, focused on Party discipline and anti-corruption efforts.

The Party’s official communiqué said the officials had committed “serious violations of discipline and the law.” It did not disclose detailed allegations against each individual. Those expelled include Ma Xingrui, former Party chief of Xinjiang; Zhang Youxia, former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission; former military official Liu Zhenli; and former diplomat Liu Jianchao.

A total of 279 Central Committee members attended the meeting: 162 full members and 117 alternate members. By comparison, 315 attended the fourth plenary session in 2025 and 364 attended the third in 2024. Public information has not given individual explanations for the lower attendance.

The session also adopted a resolution to persevere with full and rigorous Party self-governance. Its measures include strengthening anti-corruption efforts, oversight of officials, internal discipline, compliance with Party rules and accountability. The Party also decided to hold its 21st National Congress in Beijing in the second half of 2027.

China’s leadership has presented the anti-corruption campaign as a way to strengthen the Party’s governing capacity and discipline. Analysts, however, say the continuing purges of senior officials could raise questions about leadership continuity within the Party and the military. This is analysis; detailed allegations against those expelled have not been officially disclosed.