Xi’s anti-corruption drive sees 33 officials expelled from party
Xi Jinping’s campaign against corruption has led to the expulsion of 33 Communist Party officials, the largest purge reflected at the party’s annual gathering. The unusually large number of absent members highlights the scale of the crackdown and the leadership’s emphasis on strict internal discipline.
The gathering had 279 attendees from the 376 full and alternate members named in 2022, leaving more than a quarter absent. Those formally expelled included former Politburo members Ma Xingrui and Zhang Youxia; five of the seven members appointed to the Central Military Commission in 2022 have also been purged. The party says it will continue its anti-corruption campaign, while details of some officials’ alleged violations remain unclear.
In short
- 33 officials were expelled in the largest purge yet.
- More than a quarter of the 2022 leadership cohort was absent.
- The party says its anti-corruption campaign will continue.
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The case for
Supporters argue that corruption can undermine public trust, weaken institutions and distort decisions, so removing officials accused of serious misconduct can reinforce accountability and party discipline. They may see the scale of the expulsions, including senior figures, as evidence that no rank places someone beyond scrutiny and that continued enforcement is needed to deter abuse.
The case against
Critics argue that when allegations and evidence are not made clear, expulsions risk appearing arbitrary and deny officials meaningful transparency or due process. The removal of many senior figures, particularly in the military, may also raise concerns that an expansive campaign concentrates power, unsettles institutions and could be used to sideline rivals under the banner of discipline.
Explained simply
The Chinese Communist Party is the country’s ruling party, and Xi Jinping is both its leader and China’s president. Party officials oversee government and other institutions, while senior military leaders belong to the party’s Central Military Commission.
The party describes its anti-corruption campaign as an effort to tackle bribery and enforce internal rules. It has also removed officials from their posts, including senior figures; in some cases, the details of alleged violations have not been made public.
The scale of such removals matters because senior party and military bodies help shape China’s leadership and policy. Their membership can also offer a glimpse of how the party is enforcing discipline within its ranks.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Xi carries out largest purge of ‘corrupt officials’ yet as China’s Communist Party’s annual gathering ends with more empty seats than ever”.