China dismisses 33 members in record purge amid emphasis on party discipline

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has expelled a record number of 33 members as it concluded its major political gathering, the plenum.

China Daily reported that the four-day plenum, which concluded on Oct. 29, covered the achievements of the party and the preservation of the party's self-governance.

This included highlighting steps to ensure officials would not have the audacity to commit corruption.

Party discipline was centred on this edition of the plenum, whereas past meetings focused on economic reforms or social and development issues, reported the BBC.

First time plenum attendance dropped below 300 in Xi's 14 years

According to the BBC, this fifth plenum had 279 Central Committee members, while October 2025's fourth plenum had 315 and July 2024's third plenum had 364.

This is the first time plenum attendance has dropped below 300 in Xi's 14 years of rule.

China Daily noted that the session also discussed the filling of empty seats on the CCP's Central Committee by alternate members.

The CCP also decided to convene its National Congress in Beijing in the second half of 2027 at the Plenum.

This will be the 21st party congress. It is an event held every five years and determines the leadership of the party and, eventually, China, according to the BBC.

Fight against corruption

Since coming to power in 2012, one of Xi Jinping's core missions has been to stamp out corruption.

Over two million individuals are facing disciplinary action for "pointless formality, bureaucratism, hedonism and extravagance", according to Chinese state-owned media, Xinhua.

According to the BBC, which cited a report issued on Oct. 29, 16 of the 33 members purged were from the military.

These dismissals raise the total figure of removed members in Xi's third term to 51, an increase from 35 in his first term and five in his second term.

BBC reported that China's top anti-corruption watchdog said 680,000 people across the CCP had been disciplined in the first nine months of 2026.

High-ranking officials who were axed

The high-ranking officials who were axed include former Xinjiang Party chief Ma Xingrui and ex-generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, the BBC reported.

According to Xinhua, Ma was investigated and found to have violated "political organisation and integrity discipline", as well as helped family members purchase homes at below-market prices and engaged in money for sex transactions, among other actions.

BBC reported that Ma and Zhang were former Politburo members; their removal, alongside former general He Weidong, brought the 24-man Politburo down to 21 members.

A former diplomat, Liu Jianchao, was also named among those purged after disappearing from public view in July 2025, the BBC stated.