China Expels 33 Officials, Including 16 Military Generals
In a significant purge, China's Communist Party has expelled 33 senior officials, reshaping military leadership amid an ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
33 officials expelled, including 16 high-ranking military officers.
This marks the highest number of removals during Xi Jinping's third term.
The anti-corruption campaign continues to target both military and civilian sectors.
The Chinese Communist Party has confirmed the expulsion of 33 senior officials, including 16 high-ranking military officers, following a four-day meeting of its Central Committee in Beijing. This decision was announced on October 29, at the conclusion of the fifth plenum of the 20th Central Committee, which emphasized party discipline and anti-corruption efforts over economic policies.
This latest round of expulsions brings the total number of Central Committee members removed during President Xi Jinping's third term to 51, a significant increase compared to the 35 removals during his first term and just five during his second. The reshuffle has notably impacted the leadership structure of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), with several senior commanders and officials responsible for military administration and defense procurement being removed from their positions.
The official communique from the plenum highlighted the party's commitment to deepening self-governance and addressing entrenched malpractice. Attendance at the plenum was notably low, with only 162 of the 205 full members present, marking a turnout of approximately 79%. Among the high-profile expulsions were former Central Military Commission vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and former member Liu Zhenli, both of whom were under investigation for corruption.
The Central Military Commission, which oversees China's armed forces, has seen its membership drastically reduced from seven to just two members: Xi Jinping and General Zhang Shengmin. This significant reduction reflects a strategic consolidation of power within the military's leadership. Additionally, several senior civilian officials associated with China's defense industry were also expelled, indicating a broader scope of the anti-corruption campaign that has reached into both military and civilian sectors.
Chinese officials defended the purge as essential for maintaining clean governance and political discipline. They cited the scale of the disciplinary campaign since Xi took office in 2012, which has seen millions of cases opened and numerous individuals disciplined. As the party prepares for the 21st Party Congress in 2027, experts suggest that these removals may be part of Xi's strategy to reinforce his political control and consolidate authority within the party and military ranks.
