Key facts
- A record 33 officials expelled from the Chinese Communist Party at the fifth plenum.
- Unprecedented number of empty seats at the plenum, with over 25% of original members absent.
- Central Military Commission now has only two members: Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin.
- General Zhang Shengmin promoted to the Politburo, becoming the only military member.
- Plenum theme focused on party governance and strict internal discipline.
- China's stock market has seen a $3.5 trillion selloff amid the political events.
The Chinese Communist Party's fifth plenum concluded on October 30, 2026, with a significant shake-up in its ranks. A record 33 members were expelled from the Central Committee, leading to an unprecedented number of empty seats at the gathering. This intensified purge under Xi Jinping, focused on party governance and discipline, has removed key figures, including former military second-in-command Zhang Youxia and Xinjiang party secretary Ma Xingrui.
General Zhang Shengmin, the military's anti-graft tsar, was promoted to the Politburo, leaving him and Xi Jinping as the only members of the Central Military Commission. Analysts suggest these purges may also serve to remove political rivals and punish disloyalty, with the theme of strict internal discipline dominating the plenum. The gathering also set the stage for the 21st Party Congress in 2027, where Xi is expected to secure a fourth term.