President Xi Jinping retains just two members on China’s Central Military Commission following a sweeping purge of senior generals that leaves five supreme military command seats unfilled. The leadership gaps emerge as the Chinese Communist Party moves through its fifth plenum in Beijing, where 33 members and alternate members were expelled from the party, including 16 from the military, abc.net.au reported.
Seventy-four Percent Attendance Record at the Fifth Plenum in Beijing
The fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee convened in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026, drawing 162 members and 117 alternate members, China Daily reported. The gathering recorded an attendance rate of 74 per cent, which smh.com.au noted as the lowest since the Mao Zedong era. Among those expelled were former Politburo member Ma Xingrui and former senior military leader Zhang Youxia, according to smh.com.au.
China watchers view plenums as an exercise in tracking empty chairs to monitor political survival. “It’s a case of now you see me, now you don’t,” said Shengyu Wang, a researcher of Chinese elite politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, as reported by smh.com.au. Mingda Qiu, senior analyst at Eurasia Group’s China practice, told smh.com.au that the meetings offer a window to see who remains safe in the meeting hall.
The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has concluded, adopting a resolution on persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance, the guiding principles for which were highlighted as follows: serving the Party's… pic.twitter.com/t11R5vECgx
Central Military Commission Power Vacuum Ahead of 2027 Congress
Xi has purged five hand-picked generals from the Central Military Commission over the past two years, leaving only himself and top general Zhang Shengmin on the supreme military decision-making body, smh.com.au reported. Zhang, who serves as Xi’s anti-corruption enforcer inside the military, secured a promotion to the powerful Politburo during the Thursday meetings. It marks the first time in decades that the party has restocked the Politburo during the middle of a five-year term, according to smh.com.au.
The purge coincides with Xi’s 14-year anti-corruption campaign, which has punished at least 7.9 million CCP members and officials, abc.net.au reported. Deng Yuwen told abc.net.au that Xi is preparing to extend his reign for another five years at the 21st Party Congress due in the second half of next year. However, the military power vacuum creates uncertainty about force readiness as the People's Liberation Army approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, abc.net.au reported.
The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has concluded its fifth plenary session, adopting a resolution on persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance.Communique of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of… pic.twitter.com/ehA6cZ1oqY
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the fifth plenary session take place?
The 20th Central Committee convened its fifth plenary session in Beijing from October 26 to 29, 2026, according to China Daily.
How many officials were expelled during the plenum?
The party expelled 33 members and alternate members during the session, including 16 individuals from the military and former Politburo member Ma Xingrui, abc.net.au and smh.com.au reported.
Who remains on the Central Military Commission?
President Xi Jinping and top general Zhang Shengmin are the only two remaining members on the seven-person Central Military Commission after five seats were left vacant by purges, abc.net.au and smh.com.au reported.
When is the next party congress scheduled?
The CCP will convene its 21st National Congress in Beijing in the second half of 2027, China Daily reported.
Today's #MustRead: Xi Jinping fighting corruption, promotes general to politburo, wants to "relentlessly rectify conduct and enforce discipline, unswervingly promote the integrated approach of not daring to be corrupt, not being able to be corrupt and not wanting to be corrupt.”…”
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In today's @IndianExpress, I discuss three signals evident from China's recently concluded #5thPlenum.#1 The attrition in top decision making bodies is massive. #2 Xi's decision not to restock the Central Military Commission this time around speaks to both deep mistrust and… pic.twitter.com/DW5w88PgBb
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