China's Fifth Plenum Expels 33 Senior Party Members, Promotes Discipline Chief
China's Communist Party concluded its fifth plenum in Beijing, expelling 33 senior members including Zhang Youxia and Liu Jianchao, and promoting General Zhang Shengmin.
The story in focus
China's Communist Party concluded its fifth plenum in Beijing on Thursday, confirming the expulsion of 33 senior party members, including former top military general Zhang Youxia and senior diplomat Liu Jianchao, NPR reports. Only 279 of 376 central committee members attended. The meeting focused on anti-corruption and party discipline, and General Zhang Shengmin was promoted to the Politburo.
- The fifth plenum ran from Monday to Thursday in Beijing.
- 33 senior party members were expelled, including Zhang Youxia and Liu Jianchao.
- 279 of 376 central committee members attended; many absentees are believed to be under investigation.
- General Zhang Shengmin was promoted to the Politburo.
- Analysts cited by NPR say the meeting signals Xi Jinping's preparation for next year's party congress.
Expulsions and attendance
China's ruling Communist Party concluded its fifth plenum in Beijing on Thursday, confirming the expulsion of 33 senior party members. Among those expelled were Zhang Youxia, formerly the country's most senior military general, and Liu Jianchao, a senior diplomat previously tipped as a candidate for foreign minister.
Of the 376 full and alternate central committee members originally named in 2022, only 279 attended the meeting, which began on Monday. NPR reports that many of the absentees are believed to be under investigation.
Promotion and analysts' views
General Zhang Shengmin, a key figure in Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, was promoted to the Politburo at the meeting. Neil Thomas, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told NPR that the promotion reinforces the importance of anti-corruption work in the military.
Joseph Torigian, a professor at American University, said the meeting shows Xi setting up for next year's party congress by ensuring party members are aligned with him. Thomas said the focus on party discipline suggests Xi is unlikely to take risks over Taiwan, the South China Sea or disputes with the U.S. until he feels more comfortable with the party he leads.
Anti-corruption campaign
The meeting's focus was anti-corruption and discipline. Zhang Fuhai, deputy secretary of the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, told reporters on Friday that 7.9 million individuals have been punished since the campaign began in late 2012, including over 960 senior officials.
Thomas said local officials may avoid risk to escape discipline scrutiny, potentially producing inertia and less experimentation. Full decisions from the meeting are expected to be published in the coming days.
How many central committee members attended China's fifth plenum?
NPR reports that 279 of the 376 full and alternate central committee members originally named in 2022 attended the meeting, meaning more than a quarter were absent.
Sources & further reading
Help keep the record accurate. Send a correction.
