The fifth plenum formally confirmed the removal of 33 senior members, reflecting a continuing purge that has punished roughly 7.9 million individuals since late 2012. High-profile figures in diplomacy and the military were among those ousted, accompanied by a push to increase oversight of local officials through more frequent inspector reporting. The personnel shifts demonstrate Xi's tight grip, while the gathering concluded without any indication of a designated successor.
Key points
Xi is enforcing strict internal party discipline to secure undivided loyalty ahead of his…: Xi is enforcing strict internal party discipline to secure undivided loyalty ahead of his anticipated fourth term.
Focus on internal purges suggests Beijing may avoid external military risks until domesti…: Focus on internal purges suggests Beijing may avoid external military risks until domestic political cohesion is achieved.
Leadership turnover remains elevated as central authorities simultaneously step up routin…: Leadership turnover remains elevated as central authorities simultaneously step up routine oversight on local officials across China.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
BEIJING— China's ruling Communist Party concluded its most important meeting of the year, confirming the expulsion of 33 senior party members, as leader Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign continues to widen.
The political meeting, known as the fifth plenum, began on Monday and wrapped up on Thursday.
Of the 376 full and alternate central committee members originally named in 2022, only 279 attended – more than a quarter absent. Many of them are believed to be under investigation.
The focus of the meeting was on anti-corruption and discipline, but Joseph Torigian, a professor of Chinese studies at American University in Washington D.C., says the meeting sends another signal amid wide speculation that he will seek a fourth term in office next year.
"This is Xi Jinping setting up for the next party congress next year by ensuring that everybody is on the same page as him," he says.
The meeting reveals how much work Xi thinks his party still has to do to become a more effective, loyal governing institution, according to Neil Thomas, senior fellow on Chinese politics at the…
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