Major Purges in China

 

TT-EFE-AFP

 

Published 10:36

 

The Chinese Communist Party held an important meeting this week. Photo: Ng Han Guan/AP/TT

Even more high-ranking members of China’s ruling Communist Party have been expelled, state media confirm.

A record number of seats stood empty when the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party gathered this week for its fifth major meeting of the current five-year term, reports The Guardian.

The meeting took place following extensive purges of committee members, including some from the military. Upon the conclusion of the meeting, Chinese state media confirmed that another record number—33 high-ranking individuals—had been expelled.

Since President Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption campaign in 2012, China has punished nearly eight million people, including close to a thousand high-ranking officials.

Analysts suggest that the campaign also serves as a means for Xi Jinping to eliminate potential rivals and consolidate his control over the party.