Xi Jinping oversees record purge of Chinese officials, consolidating power

This action is part of Xi’s ongoing campaign to enforce party discipline, which has, over the past 14 years, resulted in the punishment of at least 7.9 million members and officials for alleged corruption. At the recent fifth plenum of the CCP’s 20th Central Committee, 33 members and alternate members were expelled, including 16 from the military.

The scale of this purge is unprecedented in nearly half a century, raising concerns about the implications for China’s political stability and military readiness. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), one of the world’s largest political organizations, relies on a complex structure, and maintaining control over its vast membership has historically been crucial to its success.

Xi is widely expected to seek a fourth term as the CCP’s general secretary in 2027, and these purges are seen by some as a means of removing rivals and solidifying his authority. This has included high-profile figures such as former foreign minister Qin Gang and senior military leader Zhang Youxia. Deng Yuwen, former editor of a communist party newspaper, stated, “If I were to put in absolute terms, I would say his next term is 100 per cent.”

Beyond anti-corruption efforts, Chen Minglu, associate professor of Chinese politics at the University of Sydney, notes that these actions are also about “the party’s governing capacity, its relationship with the people, and ensuring that central government policies are implemented.”

The recent vacancies in the Politburo, the country’s political apparatus, create opportunities for lower-ranking officials to advance, potentially allowing Xi to renew leadership without directly challenging his own authority.

Xi’s military mission has evolved from seizing political power to maintaining national security and defending the CCP’s rule, with Taiwan being a key objective. The plenum emphasized accelerating the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and continued focus on Taiwan. The purge of military figures raises questions about the balance between political loyalty and military effectiveness as the PLA approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027.

Recently, French soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologized for referring to Mao Zedong as “a Chinese dictator,” highlighting the CCP’s “united front” strategy. This incident underscored the party’s ability to frame criticism as an insult to the Chinese people, generating public sentiment against external critics. Mbappé faced immediate repercussions, including cancellations by Chinese commercial partners and broadcasters.

Chen Minglu explained, “The fundamental principle of the united front is to unite all the forces that can be united. China is increasingly recognising the importance of making friends rather than creating enemies.” However, the incident also demonstrated how the party’s influence extends beyond China’s borders, using the Chinese market to pressure foreign individuals and institutions.