Xi Jinping’s Fifth Plenum Ends with Record Purges and Lowest Attendance in 14 Years

Key points

• The fifth plenum saw 279 attendees, the lowest number in Xi’s leadership, down from 315 in 2025 and 364 in 2024.
• A record 33 members were expelled from the party, including 16 military officials, bringing the total expulsions in Xi’s third term to 51.
• High-profile purges included former Xinjiang chief Ma Xingrui, former military vice-chair Zhang Youxia, and former diplomat Liu Jianchao.
• The Central Military Commission was reduced to two members: Xi Jinping and newly promoted Zhang Shengmin.
• The plenum emphasized 'party self-governance' and loyalty, with Xi warning against 'two-faced cadres' ahead of the 2027 party congress.

Background

This plenum follows a series of earlier meetings in 2026 that focused on anti-corruption and military discipline. Previous coverage highlighted Xi’s efforts to consolidate loyalty ahead of the 21st Party Congress, where he is expected to secure a fourth term. The current purge campaign is seen as a permanent governance tool rather than a temporary measure, reflecting Xi’s growing frustration with cadre performance and disloyalty.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and CNN emphasize the scale of the purges and the consolidation of Xi’s power, noting that the anti-corruption campaign is now a tool for enforcing loyalty. CNN highlights the psychological impact on party officials, who fear being next in line. The Financial Times focuses on the structural changes, such as the reduction of the Central Military Commission and the promotion of Zhang Shengmin. All sources agree that the plenum signals a shift toward stricter discipline ahead of the 2027 party congress, but differ in emphasis: BBC and CNN focus on the human impact and fear, while the Financial Times highlights the institutional restructuring.

Why it matters

The record purges and low attendance signal a tightening of control over the party and military, reducing potential rivals and consolidating Xi’s power. This move is critical for ensuring stability ahead of the 2027 party congress, where Xi is expected to secure a fourth term. The emphasis on discipline and loyalty may reshape China’s political landscape, affecting policy implementation and international relations.

What to watch

The 21st Party Congress is expected to be held in the second half of 2027, where Xi is likely to be appointed for a fourth term. Analysts predict that Xi will dominate personnel selection, promoting younger, technocratic officials loyal to his network. The anti-corruption campaign is expected to continue, with further purges likely as Xi consolidates power ahead of the congress.