China Purges Senior Party Members at Beijing Fifth Plenum
China’s ruling Communist Party concluded its annual fifth plenum in Beijing on Thursday, confirming the expulsion of 33 senior party members as leader Xi Jinping deepens an ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Out of the 376 full and alternate central committee members originally named in 2022, only 279 attended the meeting, leaving more than a quarter absent while many are believed to be under investigation.
Military Leadership Shifts and Expulsions
The purge heavily impacts China’s defense structure, removing Zhang Youxia, formerly China’s most senior military general, and senior diplomat Liu Jianchao from the party ranks. Neil Thomas, senior fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, noted that China’s military leadership ranks have almost completely been purged in the last three or four years. Despite the sweeping removal of figures like Liu—who was previously tipped to be the next foreign minister—General Zhang Shengmin survived the purges and secured a promotion to the Politburo. Joseph Torigian, a professor of Chinese studies at American University in Washington D.C., observed that this high level of political churn raises questions regarding who will fill leadership vacancies ahead of the upcoming Party congress.
Anti-Corruption Enforcement and Bureaucratic Scrutiny
Xi’s anti-corruption campaign has punished 7.9 million individuals since late 2012, including over 960 senior officials, according to Zhang Fuhai, Deputy Secretary of the Communist party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Zhang Fuhai stated that eradicating the breeding ground for corruption remains a formidable and serious task. Beyond outright bribery, the plenum targeted excessive formalities and bureaucratic red tape. Torigian explained that party language often uses these terms to describe officials who go through the motions of holding meetings without achieving results. To counter this inertia, discipline inspectors will increase reporting requirements to central authorities, though Thomas warned that local officials might play it safe to avoid scrutiny, potentially creating policy stagnation.
Geopolitical Signals Regarding Taiwan and Regional Security
The political meeting highlights the governance standards Xi expects as he prepares for speculation surrounding a potential fourth term next year. Thomas noted that the plenum indicates Xi wants to ensure the party operates as a unified, loyal institution before taking major external risks. According to Thomas, this internal consolidation shapes the U.S. calculus on how willing Beijing might be to use force regarding Taiwan, the South China Sea, and ongoing bilateral disputes. Torigian added that Xi views strict ideological discipline as essential to preventing the ideological degradation and collapse seen in other communist regimes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Beijing Plenum
How many officials were absent from the fifth plenum?
Out of the 376 full and alternate central committee members named in 2022, 279 attended the meeting, leaving more than a quarter absent. Many of those missing are believed to be under investigation.
Who are some of the notable figures expelled or promoted during the meeting?
Among the 33 expelled members are Zhang Youxia, formerly China’s most senior military general, and senior diplomat Liu Jianchao. Meanwhile, General Zhang Shengmin survived the purges and received a promotion to the Politburo.
When did Xi Jinping launch his anti-corruption campaign?
Xi Jinping initiated the campaign when he came into power in late 2012, resulting in the punishment of 7.9 million individuals to date.
This is Xi Jinping setting up for the next party congress next year by ensuring that everybody is on the same page as him.
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