China expels Politburo member Ma Xingrui and six PLA generals from National People's Congress in fresh anti-corruption sweep
The Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress expelled a sitting Politburo member, the former financial regulatory chief, and six senior military officers on Friday, deepening President Xi Jinping's years-long anti-corruption campaign across the party and the armed forces.
The decision
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) expelled eight high-ranking officials from the legislature on Friday, state news agency Xinhua reported. No official reason was given for the removals, but the move fits a pattern of disciplinary action that has reshaped China's political and military elite.
The Standing Committee of the parliament decided this.
Who lost their seats
Among those expelled are Politburo member Ma Xingrui, who has been under investigation since April for suspected serious violations of party discipline and laws, and former financial regulatory chief Li Yunze. Six generals were also stripped of their mandates: Xu Xueqiang, head of the Armaments Development Department of the Central Military Commission and commander of the manned space programme since 2022; Li Fengbiao, former political commissar of the Western Theater Command; Guo Puxiao, former political commissar of the Air Force; Wang Kangping from the Eastern Theater Command; Zhang Minghua from the Cyberspace Force; and Yin Hongxing from the Army.
The anti-corruption campaign
The expulsions are the latest chapter in a multi-year purge that has already seen numerous top officials and generals removed, investigated, or sentenced. In early May, two former defence ministers (Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe) were condemned to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption. More than 200,000 officials have been punished overall, according to Spiegel.
The campaign has sharply reduced the size of the top military leadership. The Central Military Commission shrank from seven members to only two: President Xi Jinping as chairman and recently promoted Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin.
- Several military officers expelled from the NPC ahead of the annual parliamentary session.
- Politburo member Ma Xingrui placed under investigation for serious violations of party discipline and laws.
- Former defence ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for corruption.
- NPC Standing Committee expels Ma Xingrui, Li Yunze, and six PLA generals from the legislature.
Military and space programme impact
General Xu Xueqiang's removal is notable because of his dual role overseeing weapons development and the manned spaceflight effort. His department is responsible for the development, procurement, and testing of new weapon systems.
The defence ministry in Beijing did not immediately comment on the personnel decisions. The NPC now numbers 2,858 delegates, state media reported.
Broader context
This round of purges continues a trend that accelerated in February, when several military officers were expelled from the congress just before its annual session. Observers view the moves not only as an anti-corruption drive but also as a further consolidation of Xi's control over the party and the People's Liberation Army.
