Key facts
- General Zhang Shengmin was elevated to the Politburo on October 29, 2026.
- Zhang also oversees internal military discipline as deputy secretary of the CMC Commission for Discipline Inspection.
- The party ratified the expulsion of 33 members, including former top generals Ma Xingrui and Zhang Youxia.
China's Communist Party elevated General Zhang Shengmin to the Politburo on October 29, 2026, signaling a potential restoration of military representation in the top leadership. Zhang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, is the only general on the commission besides President Xi Jinping. The move occurred during a four-day meeting where leaders also adopted resolutions on strengthening party discipline and anti-corruption efforts. The party also ratified the expulsion of 33 members, including former top generals Ma Xingrui and Zhang Youxia, as part of an ongoing crackdown on officials. Analysts suggest this process aims to extend the party's grip on power and maintain ideological purity.