The Chinese Communist Party confirmed the expulsion of 33 high-ranking officials, including former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia, during the fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee. This move is interpreted as a step to strengthen internal control and consolidate power ahead of next year's party congress, where Xi Jinping's potential fourth term will be decided.
According to a report from the state-run Xinhua News Agency, the party approved the disciplinary actions against these officials based on a review of serious violations of discipline and law submitted by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Central Military Commission.
Among those expelled are military leaders such as Liu Zhenli, former Chief of Staff of the Central Military Commission, Wang Lunhua, Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of the Central Military Commission, Liu Qingsong, former Political Commissar of the Eastern Theater Command, Huang Ming, former Commander of the Northern Theater Command, and Li Chaoming, former Army Commander.
The list also includes senior party and government officials such as Liu Jianchao, former head of the International Liaison Department, Ma Xingrui, former Secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Lan Tianli, former Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Wang Lixia, former Chairman of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jin Zhuangrong, former Minister of Industry and Information Technology, and Hu Yiman, former Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. The party confirmed the withdrawal of party duties for Li Yunzhe, former head of the National Financial Supervisory Administration.
This approval signifies that the Chinese Communist Party has officially ratified earlier disciplinary actions against military and senior party and government officials at the plenary session. Notably, the complete expulsion of Zhang Youxia comes at a time when Xi Jinping is expected to secure a fourth term.
Zhang, regarded as the second-highest ranking official in the Chinese military, was previously identified as a central figure opposing Xi Jinping amid speculation about Xi's potential downfall, particularly in some overseas dissident media. However, these claims have not been officially confirmed.
Additionally, the party elected Zhang Shengmin as a member of the Politburo during the plenary session. Zhang was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission during the fourth plenary session last October but had not been elected to the Politburo, a key power structure in China.
This election follows established political practices in China but is also seen as a move to stabilize Zhang's political standing within the party amid ongoing vacancies in the military leadership. The Central Military Commission, originally a seven-member body, currently has vacancies aside from Xi and Zhang.
The party also reviewed and approved decisions regarding the implementation of strict party governance. The announcement stated that the central leadership would strengthen unified leadership, rigorously manage the education, selection, appointment, and supervision of officials, and improve the oversight system of the party and state. This indicates a continued strong anti-corruption stance while emphasizing the significant achievements resulting from strict party management.
The announcement acknowledged the serious nature of some internal issues and stated that strict laws would be applied to restore order. It also noted the elimination of serious risks within the party, state, and military.
The 21st National Congress of the Communist Party of China, where Xi Jinping's fourth term and the next top leadership will be determined, is scheduled to take place in Beijing in the second half of next year. This congress, held every five years, serves as the highest decision-making body of the Communist Party, outlining the direction of national governance for the next five years and reconstituting the Central Committee.
According to a report from the state-run Xinhua News Agency, the party approved the disciplinary actions against these officials based on a review of serious violations of discipline and law submitted by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Central Military Commission.
Among those expelled are military leaders such as Liu Zhenli, former Chief of Staff of the Central Military Commission, Wang Lunhua, Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of the Central Military Commission, Liu Qingsong, former Political Commissar of the Eastern Theater Command, Huang Ming, former Commander of the Northern Theater Command, and Li Chaoming, former Army Commander.
The list also includes senior party and government officials such as Liu Jianchao, former head of the International Liaison Department, Ma Xingrui, former Secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Lan Tianli, former Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Wang Lixia, former Chairman of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jin Zhuangrong, former Minister of Industry and Information Technology, and Hu Yiman, former Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. The party confirmed the withdrawal of party duties for Li Yunzhe, former head of the National Financial Supervisory Administration.
This approval signifies that the Chinese Communist Party has officially ratified earlier disciplinary actions against military and senior party and government officials at the plenary session. Notably, the complete expulsion of Zhang Youxia comes at a time when Xi Jinping is expected to secure a fourth term.
Zhang, regarded as the second-highest ranking official in the Chinese military, was previously identified as a central figure opposing Xi Jinping amid speculation about Xi's potential downfall, particularly in some overseas dissident media. However, these claims have not been officially confirmed.
Additionally, the party elected Zhang Shengmin as a member of the Politburo during the plenary session. Zhang was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission during the fourth plenary session last October but had not been elected to the Politburo, a key power structure in China.
This election follows established political practices in China but is also seen as a move to stabilize Zhang's political standing within the party amid ongoing vacancies in the military leadership. The Central Military Commission, originally a seven-member body, currently has vacancies aside from Xi and Zhang.
The party also reviewed and approved decisions regarding the implementation of strict party governance. The announcement stated that the central leadership would strengthen unified leadership, rigorously manage the education, selection, appointment, and supervision of officials, and improve the oversight system of the party and state. This indicates a continued strong anti-corruption stance while emphasizing the significant achievements resulting from strict party management.
The announcement acknowledged the serious nature of some internal issues and stated that strict laws would be applied to restore order. It also noted the elimination of serious risks within the party, state, and military.
The 21st National Congress of the Communist Party of China, where Xi Jinping's fourth term and the next top leadership will be determined, is scheduled to take place in Beijing in the second half of next year. This congress, held every five years, serves as the highest decision-making body of the Communist Party, outlining the direction of national governance for the next five years and reconstituting the Central Committee.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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