Xi’s Purges Leave Record Empty Seats at China Plenum
China’s Communist Party expelled a record 33 members as its fifth plenum closed. Only 279 of the 376 Central Committee members named in 2022 attended, the most empty seats in modern Chinese history. Those expelled include Zhang Youxia, formerly Xi Jinping’s second-in-command in the military hierarchy, and Ma Xingrui, the former party secretary for Xinjiang.
“More empty seats underscores the plenum’s focus on Xi’s vision of strict internal discipline,” said Neil Thomas of the Asia Society. The purges have gutted the Central Military Commission, which now has only two members: Xi and the anti-graft chief Zhang Shengmin. Zhang was promoted to the politburo this week. The plenum also prepared for the 21st Party congress, expected in late 2027, where Xi is expected to secure a fourth term. Analysts warn that the purges have gone so deep that there are few suitable candidates left to promote.