China expels senior Communist party leader in anti-corruption crackdown
The Communist Party of China has expelled former Xinjiang chief Ma Xingrui for corruption and violating party discipline. This move is part of President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign targeting high-level officials.
Why it matters
The expulsion of a Politburo member signals the continued intensity of internal party purges and the consolidation of power within the Chinese government.
The ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) expelled its former chief of Xinjiang province, Ma Xingrui, from the party and dismissed him from public service for corruption and violating party discipline.
Mr. Ma, who was also a member of the influential Politburo—the country’s top decision-making body—was found to have "lost his ideals and beliefs", abandoned his "political conviction", betrayed the party's principles and "seriously violated political discipline and rules", state-run Xinhua news agency said.
The 67-year-old is the third member of the 24-member Politburo to come under investigation during the current party term that began in 2022, a rare occurrence in the recent history of the 105-year-old party.
President Xi Jinping has overseen a sweeping anti-corruption drive since taking power in 2012, with hundreds of party and military officials punished for corruption and disciplinary violations.
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