World
Record number of purges as Xi emphasises 'party discipline' at China political gathering
Xi's anti-corruption campaign has become "an effort to consolidate and maintain authority", observers say.
BBC World•
A record 33 members have been expelled from China's Communist Party as it concluded a major annual political gathering, which had the most empty seats ever seen.
The fifth plenum was attended by 279 Central Committee members, compared to 315 at the fourth plenum in October 2025 and 364 at the third one in July 2024.
While recent plenums focused on economic reforms or social and development issues, party discipline took centre stage at this week's gathering.
In January, he warned against "two-faced cadres" who profess political loyalty but defy orders and act in their self-interest.