Unprecedented Personnel Changes at the Fifth Plenum
The conclusion of the 5th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCP) was marked by important personnel decisions affecting China’s power and leadership structures. With over a quarter of its members absent, the plenary session recorded the highest number of absences in the post-Mao era. This can be attributed in part to the repeated purges.
Another record was set with the expulsion of 33 senior officials from the Party. In contrast, Zhang Shengmin, the only remaining representative of the Central Military Commission (CMC) alongside Xi Jinping, was admitted to the Politburo, where he is the sole military representative. The reshuffle is taking place ahead of the 21st Party Congress, scheduled for autumn 2027, at which Xi is expected to secure another five-year term in office.
China’s Ongoing Anti-Corruption Campaign
Anti-corruption campaigns targeting high-ranking officials have been underway since 2012, when Xi came to power. While officially aimed at tackling corruption and strengthening Party discipline, these campaigns have also reinforced the power of the central leadership. Earlier this year, several high-ranking military officers came under investigation on corruption allegations and were expelled from the Party. The promotion of Zhang Shengmin, the military officer responsible for overseeing internal military discipline, is particularly significant in this context. The development shows Xi’s efforts to consolidate control over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). However, the removal of numerous senior commanders raises questions about the stability and operational capability of the PLA, particularly in light of its modernisation objectives for 2027.
