The Chinese Communist Party’s latest political gathering concluded with a historic display of internal instability, as 33 members were expelled in a sweeping purge. The fifth plenum saw the lowest attendance in 14 years, with empty seats marking the departure of officials who once held significant power.
Among those purged are former Xinjiang party chief Ma Xingrui and top military brass including Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. The removal of these high-level figures, particularly from the Central Military Commission, has left the military leadership hollowed out, raising questions about the regime's organizational stability.
While the party hides behind vague allegations of 'serious disciplinary and legal violations,' observers recognize this for what it is: a calculated effort by Xi to eliminate any potential for dissent.
With 680,000 party members disciplined in the first nine months of this year alone, Xi is clearly prioritizing ideological purity and absolute loyalty over all else.
By 'turning the knife inwards,' the regime is preparing for the 2027 Party Congress, where Xi is expected to secure a fourth term, further cementing his status as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong. This concentration of power, while effective at silencing opposition, leaves the party increasingly vulnerable to the whims of a single man.
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