Massive Purge at the CCP’s Fifth Plenum Signals Continued Power Consolidation

On October 29, the Chinese Communist Party’s Fifth Plenum of the 20th Central Committee concluded in Beijing. Those removed include senior military leaders—Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, Wang Renhua, Liu Qingsong, Huang Ming and Li Chaoming—as well as high-ranking party and government figures such as Liu Jianchao, Ma Xingrui, Lan Tianli, Wang Lixia and Jin Zhuanglong. Zhang Shengmin, promoted to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission the previous year, was elected to the Politburo. Attendance fell to 162 full members and 117 alternates, 36 fewer than at the Fourth Plenum.

China Confirms Purge of 33 Officials Including Zhang Youxia at Fifth Plenum; Party Congress Scheduled for Latter Half of Next Year Taiwan scholar: China's purge not over, will continue through next year's party congress What are China's calculations ahead of the 21st Party Congress? China ‘may unveil “two systems” plan for Taiwan’ at Party Congress next year

The Politburo issued a resolution on strengthening governance on September 21, and the People’s Daily highlighted the new emphasis on party building on October 26. Earlier disciplinary actions targeted senior generals for breaches of the Central Military Commission’s responsibility system and political loyalty.

What are China's calculations ahead of the 21st Party Congress?

Taiwan expert Hong Yao-nan noted that nine senior officials—including He Weidong, the third-ranked vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission—were expelled at the Fourth Plenum in October. He predicts the purge will continue through next year’s 21st Party Congress, with as many as 45 Central Committee members potentially expelled at the Fifth Plenum. Ming Pao reported that, to date, 22 full members and six alternates have lost their National People’s Congress seats, and more than 10 others have disappeared from military, party or government posts without official announcement.

Taiwan scholar: China's purge not over, will continue through next year's party congress China Confirms Purge of 33 Officials Including Zhang Youxia at Fifth Plenum; Party Congress Scheduled for Latter Half of Next Year What are China's calculations ahead of the 21st Party Congress? China ‘may unveil “two systems” plan for Taiwan’ at Party Congress next year

Scholars in Beijing have drafted over 30 proposals for a “peaceful reunification and one-country-two-systems” framework for Taiwan, according to Wang Weixing, vice-president of the National Society of Taiwan Studies and a PLA major general. Hung Yao-nan, deputy director of Tamkang University’s Centre for Cross-Strait Relations, expects the CCP may unveil an overarching “two-systems” plan at the 21st Party Congress, presenting it as progress on Taiwan work. He describes Beijing’s approach as having two strands: “exercising control before reunification” and “integration with Taiwan” (enhancing daily conveniences and transport links).

China ‘may unveil “two systems” plan for Taiwan’ at Party Congress next year Taiwan scholar: China's purge not over, will continue through next year's party congress China Confirms Purge of 33 Officials Including Zhang Youxia at Fifth Plenum; Party Congress Scheduled for Latter Half of Next Year What are China's calculations ahead of the 21st Party Congress?

During talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on September 24, Xi Jinping called for “constructive strategic stability” in China-U.S. relations and urged the United States to oppose “Taiwan independence.” Liang Wen-chieh, deputy minister of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, rejected the 12-point consensus presented on September 12, stating that Taiwan’s government and people would not accept any such measure.

China ‘may unveil “two systems” plan for Taiwan’ at Party Congress next year Taiwan scholar: China's purge not over, will continue through next year's party congress China Confirms Purge of 33 Officials Including Zhang Youxia at Fifth Plenum; Party Congress Scheduled for Latter Half of Next Year What are China's calculations ahead of the 21st Party Congress?

Sources differ on the exact scale of expulsions. Hong Yao-nan cites a potential 45 expulsions, while Ming Pao’s tally of confirmed losses totals 28 (22 full members + 6 alternates). No official figure has been released, leaving the precise number of removed officials uncertain.

Taiwan scholar: China's purge not over, will continue through next year's party congress

The 21st Party Congress, scheduled for the latter half of 2027, will decide whether President Xi secures a fourth term and will set the next leadership lineup. Observers expect further personnel reshuffling, with younger “70s-generation” technocrats such as Zhuge Wujie poised for promotion. Externally, Beijing aims to project stability, as reflected in recent diplomatic messaging—including Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s remarks at the Global Governance Forum on October 23—while managing domestic economic headwinds and the ongoing anti-corruption drive.

What are China's calculations ahead of the 21st Party Congress?