China expels 33 Communist Party officials as plenum attendance drops to historic low

China's ruling Communist Party has ousted 33 officials from its ranks following a major annual political summit in Beijing, leaving an unprecedented number of vacant seats at the gathering.

Attendance at the fifth plenum dropped to 279 Central Committee members, down from 315 the previous year and 364 in 2024. According to BBC News, this marks the first time during Xi Jinping's 14-year tenure that attendance at a plenum has sunk below 300. The committee began its term in 2022 with more than 370 individuals.

The expulsions push the total tally of Central Committee members ousted during Xi's third term to 51, surpassing the 35 dismissed during his first term and five during his second. Beyond the top echelon, China's disciplinary watchdog disclosed that approximately 680,000 individuals across the party framework faced disciplinary measures during the first nine months of the year.

A communique issued at the close of the four-day closed-door conference cited broad disciplinary and legal infractions, a recurring formula within the ongoing enforcement drive. The party stated it had confronted situations where leadership had weakened or deteriorated, pledging to continue internal rectification.

The dismissals heavily affected defense leadership, encompassing high-ranking military personnel including former top generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Former Xinjiang party leader Ma Xingrui and former diplomat Liu Jianchao were also confirmed among those expelled.

Zhang Youxia's departure leaves the Central Military Commission, which commands the nation's armed forces, with just two members remaining from its original seven: Xi as chairman and Zhang Shengmin as vice-chairman. Analysts at the Asia Society Policy Institute noted that the substantial changes within the armed forces leadership pose significant questions regarding organizational direction and operational readiness.

The removal of Politburo members had reduced that elite 24-seat council to 21 members, before Zhang Shengmin was elevated during the meeting to bring the total to 22.

Political analysts suggest the heightened focus on internal discipline is closely linked to preparations for the upcoming Party Congress in 2027, where Xi is anticipated to seek an unprecedented fourth term as party leader. Analysts noted that the dismissals reflect an effort to cement political loyalty and eliminate internal challenges as the party prepares for its next leadership transition.