China, record purges from the Communist Party, 33 members expelled

(Adnkronos) – A record number of 33 members have been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party at the end of the fifth annual plenary session, which recorded the lowest participation since 2024. Party discipline was on the agenda of the meeting. Xi Jinping has made the fight against corruption a central pillar of his government since his inauguration in 2012, calling it the “greatest threat” to the party. According to a statement released today at the end of the four-day meeting in Beijing, 33 members were expelled, 16 of whom came from the armed forces. It is not clear what specific charges these members face, beyond “serious disciplinary and legal violations.” Such generic accusations have become common practice in Xi’s anti-corruption campaign. The latest expulsions bring the total number of members removed during Xi’s third term to a record 51, compared to 35 and 5 respectively in his first and second terms.