Beijing plenum confirms 33 expulsions

China's Communist Party confirmed the removal of 33 senior members on Thursday. This conclusion ended the fifth plenum, which began Monday. The party also promoted General Zhang Shengmin to the Politburo.

The plenum marked the highest-level meeting of the year for the ruling party. Only 279 of the 376 central committee members named in 2022 attended the session. More than a quarter of the membership was absent. Officials believe many of the absent members are under investigation for corruption or discipline violations.

The meeting focused on tightening party governance and anti-corruption efforts. Joseph Torigian, a professor of Chinese studies at American University, noted that the session prepares the party for the next congress. That congress is expected to occur next year. Torigian said the event ensures party members align with Xi Jinping's vision.

Neil Thomas, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, linked the internal cleanup to China's foreign policy. He stated that Xi is unlikely to use force over Taiwan or the South China Sea until the party feels more cohesive. This calculation affects how the United States views China's willingness to escalate conflicts.

Among the 33 expelled officials were Zhang Youxia, a former top military general, and Liu Jianchao, a senior diplomat. Thomas said the military leadership has undergone heavy turnover in the past four years. General Zhang Shengmin, however, received a promotion. His move to the Politburo signals the high priority placed on anti-corruption work within the armed forces.

Zhang Fuhai, Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, provided specific figures on Friday. He reported that 7.9 million individuals have been punished since the anti-corruption campaign began in late 2012. That total includes over 960 senior officials. Zhang described the fight against corruption as serious and complicated.

The party also addressed bureaucratic inefficiency. Torigian explained that Xi has criticized excessive formalities that achieve little. The plenum announced more regular reporting from discipline inspectors to central authorities. This change adds scrutiny to local officials. Thomas warned that this increased oversight might cause local leaders to avoid risk, potentially creating inertia in policy implementation.

The plenum did not name a successor for Xi Jinping. Political watchers expect that decision will remain open for now. Full decisions and deliverables from the meeting are scheduled for publication soon.