Xi ousts 33 Communist Party officials at China plenum
Newly released details show 16 of the 33 ousted officials came from the military, signaling the discipline sweep reached top ranks.
The Communist Party of China removed 33 officials at its fifth plenary session on Oct. 26-29, a move that marked the largest purge in the party's modern history. Among those affected were Ma Xingrui, Zhang Youxia, Liu Jianchao and former Industry Minister Jin Zhuanglong. Reuters, BBC and other media cited by some sources said 16 of the 33 officials came from the military. The meeting was attended by 279 members, far below the 376 seats set for the Central Committee in 2022, leaving 97 seats vacant. Since taking power in 2012, Xi Jinping has used the anti-corruption campaign as a tool of party discipline and to clear out officials seen as disloyal or as potential political rivals.