The Communist Party of China has confirmed the exclusion of 33 officials at the conclusion of its fifth plenary session in Beijing, leaving more than a quarter of the Central Committee’s seats vacant and marking the highest rate of absenteeism in modern party history, according to reports from Reuters citing the state agency Xinhua.
Absenteeism Reaches Record High at Central Committee Plenary Session
Only 279 of the 376 full and alternate members elected in 2022 attended this year’s meeting, which ran from October 26 to 29. This left 97 empty chairs in the hall. For comparison, the fourth plenum in October 2025 drew 315 members, while the third plenum in July 2024 recorded 364 attendees. This level of non-attendance shows the sweeping reach of President Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign and ongoing political purges.
Military Purges Target Top Leadership Ranks
Out of the 33 officials stripped of their positions, 16 hail from the military. Official documents cite vague allegations of “serious violations of party discipline and laws.” High-profile casualties include Ma Xingzrui, party secretary of the Xinjiang autonomous region, alongside former Politburo members Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, former senior diplomat Liu Jianchao, and former industry minister Jin Chuanglong. Neil Thomas, an analyst at the Asia Society policy institute, described the military purge as unprecedented, stating that it questions the organizational leadership and combat readiness of the armed forces.
More empty seats underscores the plenum's focus on Xi's vision of strict internal disciplineA Party Congress next year is Xi's opportunity to refresh the ranks, but his challenge is finding people who can meet his high standardsStill a year of promoting & purging to go!3/
Reshaping the Central Military Commission and Politburo
With the removal of figures like Zhang Youxia—formerly a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission—Zhang Shengmin was elevated to the Politburo during the plenum. The plenary session formally set the date for the 21st Party Congress for the second half of 2027 in Beijing, initiating the structured political jockeying that occurs twice a decade.
Ninety-Seven Members Missed the Fifth Plenary Session
How many members were missing from the fifth plenary session?
A total of 97 members were absent from the 376-seat Central Committee, leaving only 279 full and alternate members in attendance.
When and where will the 21st Party Congress take place?
The plenary session participants set the 21st National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party to take place in Beijing in the second half of 2027.
Which high-ranking military officials were removed during the recent purges?
Former Central Military Commission vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli were stripped of their party membership in September 2026, according to available records.
More on Zhang Youxia
🇨🇳 China's Communist Party confirmed 33 officials were booted from the group! The list includes former Politburo member Ma Xingrui and former Central Military Commission vice chairman Zhang Youxia. These steps formalize ongoing purges across civilian and military ranks.If… pic.twitter.com/ptqZgB0Kh2