Why are China party purges accelerating under Xi Jinping?
The recent expulsion of 33 members signals a deepening intensification of the anti-corruption campaign that has defined Xi Jinping's leadership since 2012. While the official reason for these removals is "serious disciplinary and legal violations," observers suggest the campaign serves a broader political purpose. The scale of the removals is historically significant; during Xi's third term, the number of members removed has reached a record 51, compared to 35 in his first term and only five in his second.
The party's own statement acknowledged a "grim reality" where leadership had previously been "weakened or hollowed out." To combat this, the CCP has committed to "turning the knife inwards" to maintain order. However, political analysts argue that the definition of corruption has expanded. It is no longer merely about financial graft but also encompasses ideological impurity and political disloyalty.
The concept of "two-faced cadres"
Xi Jinping has explicitly warned against what he terms "two-faced cadres." These are officials who publicly profess absolute loyalty to the party while privately defying orders or pursuing personal interests. By targeting such individuals, the leadership seeks to ensure that the party apparatus remains a monolithic instrument of Xi's will, rather than a collection of competing interest groups.
How has the scale of political absenteeism changed?
The fifth plenum was marked by a historic decline in attendance among the Central Committee, reflecting a narrowing circle of trusted leadership. Only 279 members attended the session, a significant drop from the 315 attendees at the fourth plenum in October 2025 and the 364 present at the third plenum in July 2024. This trend of dwindling participation is unprecedented in Xi's 14-year tenure.
To put this decline in perspective, the current Central Committee began its term in 2022 with more than 370 members. The fact that attendance has now fallen below the 300-member threshold for the first time suggests a period of intense internal restructuring or a high degree of caution among the political elite. This contraction of the committee coincides with a massive disciplinary effort; China's top anti-corruption watchdog reported that 680,000 people across the party apparatus were disciplined in the first nine months of 2026 alone.
What is the impact of the purges on the Chinese military?
The culling of the military's top brass is described by experts as being "in a category of its own," given its potential to affect national security. Of the 33 members expelled at the recent plenum, 16 were from the military. This includes high-ranking figures such as former top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, as well as the former vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia.
The restructuring of the Central Military Commission (CMC) has been drastic. The commission, which holds ultimate control over the armed forces, has been reduced from seven members to just two: Xi Jinping as chairman and Zhang Shengmin as vice-chairman. This concentration of military authority in the hands of the top leadership is a direct consequence of the ongoing purges.
Concerns regarding combat readiness
Analysts from the Asia Society Policy Institute, including Neil Thomas, Lobsang Tsering, and Shengyu Wang, have noted that while China continues to develop advanced military hardware, the removal of senior leadership raises critical questions. The primary concern is whether these purges undermine organizational leadership and the actual combat readiness of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Frequent changes in the upper echelons of command can disrupt institutional stability and long-term strategic planning.
Who are the key high-ranking officials affected?
The list of purged officials includes several prominent figures who once held significant influence within the party and state structures. Among those named in the recent crackdown are former Xinjiang party chief Ma Xingrui and former diplomat Liu Jianchao, who had disappeared from public view in July 2025. The removal of Ma and Zhang Youxia, both former Politburo members, significantly impacted the composition of the 24-man Politburo.
At one point, the Politburo was reduced to 21 members due to these removals, including the departure of former general He Weidong in 2025. The recent promotion of Zhang Shengmin to the top decision-making body has brought the number of Politburo members back to 22. The ability of Xi to remove even those he previously promoted—such as Ma and Zhang—highlights the absolute nature of his current authority.
What does this mean for the 2027 Party Congress?
The timing of these purges is widely viewed as a precursor to the 2027 Party Congress, where the CCP will vote on its next leadership cohort. Analysts believe the current emphasis on "discipline" is a method of vetting the next generation of leaders to ensure absolute loyalty. As Xi Jinping prepares for a potential fourth term—a feat only achieved by Mao Zedong—he is expected to dominate the personnel selection process at the 21st Party Congress.
The focus is shifting toward a new generation of rising stars. According to Neil Thomas, these individuals tend to be younger, possess technocratic backgrounds, and maintain strong connections to Xi's existing political network. Provincial leadership ranks are considered the most likely breeding ground for these future officials. While this consolidation cements Xi's grip on the country for the foreseeable future, some observers warn that such extreme concentration of power could create a dangerous power vacuum in the long term as the leadership ages.
Frequently asked questions
How many members have been expelled in total under Xi's third term?
A record 51 members have been expelled during Xi Jinping's third term. This represents a significant increase compared to his first term, which saw 35 expulsions, and his second term, which saw only five. This trend illustrates the accelerating pace of the anti-corruption and discipline campaigns.
Why is the military being targeted so heavily?
The military is being targeted to ensure absolute political loyalty within the armed forces. With 16 of the 33 recently expelled members coming from the military, the purge aims to eliminate "two-faced" elements and consolidate control over the Central Military Commission under Xi's direct supervision.
What is the significance of the declining plenum attendance?
The decline in attendance, falling below 300 members for the first time in 14 years, signifies a contraction in the Central Committee. This trend reflects the intense political volatility and the ongoing process of purging officials deemed disloyal or corrupt, leaving a smaller, more vetted group of leaders.
Who is Zhang Shengmin in the context of these purges?
Zhang Shengmin is the current vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission. He was promoted to the top decision-making body during the fifth plenum, helping to stabilize the Politburo numbers after the removal of several high-ranking members like Ma Xingrui and Zhang Youxia.
What are the long-term risks of this power concentration?
The primary long-term risk is the creation of a power vacuum. While consolidating power around a single leader ensures short-term stability and loyalty, experts suggest that such extreme centralization may leave the party vulnerable when the current leadership eventually ages or transitions.
Key takeaways
- The fifth plenum resulted in the expulsion of 33 CCP members, including 16 military officials.
- Central Committee attendance at the plenum fell below 300 for the first time in Xi's leadership.
- Total expulsions under Xi's third term have reached a record high of 51 members.
- The Central Military Commission has been reduced to only two active members.
- The purges are viewed as a way to vet leaders ahead of the 2027 Party Congress.
Conclusion
The recent wave of China party purges underscores a period of intense political consolidation as the CCP prepares for the 2027 leadership transition. By targeting both the civilian bureaucracy and the military high command, Xi Jinping is effectively reshaping the party to prioritize ideological conformity and personal loyalty over traditional institutional structures. While these actions secure his position and ensure the party's immediate cohesion, they also fundamentally alter the landscape of Chinese governance. The shrinking size of the Central Committee and the drastic reduction of the military commission suggest a regime that is increasingly centralized, yet potentially more vulnerable to future leadership instability.
