China’s Communist Party expels 33 members in record-breaking purge

At the conclusion of a four-day closed-door fifth plenum in Beijing on October 29, 2026, the Communist Party of China announced the expulsion of 33 members. This event marked a record number of expulsions, leaving a significant void in the Central Committee. Attendance dropped to 279 members, down from 315 in October 2025 and 364 in July 2024. Reports indicate that over one in four members of the original 2022 composition were absent, largely due to ongoing purges within the party and the military.

Among the expelled individuals, 16 are members of the military. While the official communique cited “serious disciplinary and legal violations,” no specific charges were disclosed. Notably, the list of those removed includes Zhang Youxia, formerly the second-in-command of the military. This anti-corruption campaign, which has been a primary focus for Xi Jinping since 2012, is viewed by analysts as a strategic effort to consolidate political authority.

Contextually, this plenum represents the most significant restructuring of the Chinese leadership in modern history. The trend of high-level expulsions indicates that Xi Jinping’s effort to maintain party discipline remains a central pillar of his governance. Future developments depend on how the campaign evolves, with experts suggesting the purge will continue to expand as the party seeks to eliminate internal threats.