China's Communist Party expelled 33 members during a recent meeting, marking a record for Xi Jinping's leadership amid an ongoing anti-corruption drive.
The Chinese Communist Party recently concluded a major annual meeting in Beijing. Officials expelled a record 33 members from the party during this four-day event. This gathering saw the lowest attendance levels during Xi Jinping's fourteen years of leadership.
Also, only 279 members of the Central Committee attended this session. This number dropped significantly from previous meetings held in 2024 and 2025. Attendance fell below 300 for the first time under Xi's current administration.
Next, the party focused heavily on internal discipline rather than economic growth. Xi Jinping considers corruption the greatest threat to his party. He has prioritized fighting this issue since taking power in 2012.
Meanwhile, the military faced the most significant impact from these recent purges. Sixteen of the 33 expelled officials served in the armed forces. These members face vague accusations of serious legal and disciplinary violations.
After that, the party leadership admitted that internal control had weakened over time. They promised to continue strict self-governance to stop further disorder. Experts believe this campaign helps Xi consolidate his personal authority.
Still, the scale of these removals is historically unprecedented. Total expulsions under Xi's third term reached 51 members. This number is much higher than the totals from his first two terms.
Furthermore, China's anti-corruption agency disciplined 680,000 people this year. Xi views corruption as a sign of ideological impurity and disloyalty. He previously warned against officials who act in their own self-interest.
However, the removal of high-ranking military leaders raises concerns about combat readiness. The powerful Central Military Commission now operates with only two members. Observers note that Xi removes even his own appointees without facing opposition.
Finally, these actions suggest preparations for the upcoming 2027 Party Congress. Experts expect Xi to seek a fourth term in leadership. He currently exerts complete control over personnel decisions within the government.