The party was guided by the sense of mission that “we would rather offend thousands than let down 1.4 billion people”
China has eliminated “serious hidden dangers” within its Communist Party, state and military under President Xi Jinping, a senior official said on Friday, a day after authorities confirmed the expulsion of a record 33 figures.
Xi has led a sweeping anti-corruption campaign since taking power more than a decade ago, targeting thousands of officials and dozens of members of the powerful Central Committee, as well as senior military figures.
The latest expulsions were confirmed as a four-day plenum of the Central Committee concluded on Thursday. Those removed include former Politburo member Zhang Youxia, once China’s highest-ranking general.
The party was guided by the sense of mission that “we would rather offend thousands than let down 1.4 billion people”, Zhang Fuhai, deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), said on Friday. The CCDI said disciplinary and supervisory bodies had punished 7.9 million people since 2012.
The anti-corruption drive has been a hallmark of Xi's presidency, with the campaign targeting not only low-level officials but also high-ranking figures. The expulsion of Zhang Youxia and Ma Xingrui, a former senior official in Xinjiang, demonstrates the seriousness with which Beijing is approaching the issue of corruption.
The implications of this purge are significant, as it suggests that Xi is consolidating his power and eliminating potential rivals. The fact that the party is willing to expel high-ranking officials, including a former Politburo member, indicates that no one is above the law and that corruption will not be tolerated.
