Xi Jinping’s Fifth Plenum Marks Record Purges and Lowest Attendance in Decades

Key points

• A record 33 members were expelled from the Chinese Communist Party during the fifth plenum, the highest number in modern Chinese history.
• Attendance at the plenum was 279 out of 376 original Central Committee members, representing a 25% absence rate and the lowest in the post-Mao era.
• General Zhang Shengmin was promoted to the Politburo, becoming the only military member of the senior leadership body after the purge of the Central Military Commission.
• The plenum confirmed the expulsion of high-profile figures, including former military vice-chair Zhang Youxia and Xinjiang party secretary Ma Xingrui.
• The meeting set the stage for the 21st Party Congress in late 2027, where Xi Jinping is expected to secure a fourth term as leader.

Background

This development follows a series of purges in 2026 that significantly reduced the Central Military Commission to just two members. Earlier in October, Zhang Shengmin was elevated to the Politburo, a move seen as consolidating loyalty ahead of the 2027 party congress. The current plenum continues Xi Jinping’s long-standing anti-corruption campaign, which has intensified in recent years to target top officials and military leaders.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian emphasizes the scale of the purges, highlighting the record number of expulsions and the unprecedented 'empty chairs' at the plenum as evidence of Xi’s drive for strict internal discipline. CNN focuses on the political implications, noting that the purge has eliminated potential rivals and left Xi without an apparent heir, while also detailing the use of capital punishment for former aides. The Financial Times highlights the specific elevation of Zhang Shengmin, noting that he is the first person promoted to the Politburo outside of a party congress since 1994, and frames the discipline crackdown as a response to Xi’s frustration with cadre performance. All sources agree on the factual outcomes of the plenum but differ in emphasis: The Guardian and CNN focus on the breadth and fear-inducing nature of the purges, while the Financial Times focuses on the structural changes in the party’s leadership hierarchy.

Why it matters

The plenum signals a consolidation of power under Xi Jinping, removing potential rivals and ensuring loyalty ahead of his fourth term. The hollowing out of the military command structure may impact China’s strategic readiness, while the low attendance at the plenum indicates the severity of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. This move also sets the stage for the 2027 party congress, where Xi is expected to extend his rule, potentially making him the longest-serving leader of Communist China since Mao Zedong.

What to watch

The 21st Party Congress is expected to be held in the second half of 2027, where Xi Jinping will likely secure a fourth term. The ranks of the Central Committee and Politburo will be refreshed at this congress, but analysts suggest that the recent purges have left few suitable candidates for promotion. The anti-corruption campaign is expected to continue, with Xi Jinping describing it as a 'never-ending journey' to uproot 'sick trees' within the party.