Xi Jinping has made the fight against corruption a central pillar of his rule since he took the reins in 2012, calling it the biggest threat to the party. Such broad allegations have become routine under Xi's anti-corruption campaign. The latest expulsions bring the total number of members removed under Xi's third term to 51, marking a significant increase from 35 in his first term and five in his second term.
While recent plenums focused on economic reforms or social and development issues, party discipline took centre stage at this week's gathering. Beyond the plenum, China's top anti-corruption watchdog reported that 680,000 people across the party apparatus were disciplined in the first nine months of this year.
Observers note that one reason for the increased emphasis on discipline, which many interpret as loyalty, is next year's Party Congress, when the CCP will vote again for its next leader. No leader has served that long except Mao Zedong, the founder of Communist China.
Analysts believe that he does so at will with little opposition, underscoring how unassailable his position is at the moment. Officials say that ultimately, Xi is expected to dominate personnel selection at the 21st Party Congress, which will further cement his grip on the party and the country.
Sixteen of the 33 members expelled are from the military, according to the communique marking the end of the meeting. Their removal, along with former general He Weidong in 2025, meant the powerful 24-man Politburo was at one point left with 21 members.