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China's Xi Jinping expels a record 33 officials, including Beijing's highest-ranking general, in a purge of 'hidden dangers'

Zhang Shengming, the Central Military Commission's sole remaining military member apart from Xi Jinping himself, filling a Politburo seat left vacant after Xi purged two senior generals.
Zhang Shengming, the Central Military Commission's sole remaining military member apart from Xi Jinping himself, filling a Politburo seat left vacant after Xi purged two senior generals.

Sixteen of the expelled officials are from the military. Among them is Zhong Shaojun, Xi's former personal secretary, who spent more than ten years as Xi's trusted informant within the Central Military Commission. The plenum, a four-day closed-door meeting in Beijing, was attended by only 279 of 376 Central Committee members — the first time the figure has dropped below 300 in Xi's 14 years in power.

The total number of members purged during Xi's third term has now reached a record 51, up from 35 at the equivalent point in his second.

Former Xinjiang party chief Ma Xingrui was expelled on allegations that included favouring relatives for personal gain, corruption, and soliciting prostitutes.

Analysts say the campaign is 'an effort to consolidate and maintain authority' that will 'continue and expand depending on how secure Xi feels'.

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