‘Pull Out the Sick Trees’: Xi’s Constant Purges Pave Way for Next Term

Live updates

1. 3h ago

   Xi Jinping Purges Record Number of Officials Ahead of Key Meeting

   Chinese leader Xi Jinping has executed a sweeping crackdown on corruption and disloyalty within the Chinese Communist Party, using ongoing purges to consolidate authority and clear potential rivals. As top leaders convene for the fifth plenum, observers note an unprecedented number of empty seats resulting from these expulsions. Xi has complained that officials cannot be trusted, directing relentless loyalty campaigns and corruption probes to bring bureaucrats and military figures to heel as he prepares for a likely fourth term in power in 2027.

   Why it matters

   For more than a decade, Xi has wielded anti-corruption investigations as a primary tool to enforce strict party discipline and eliminate political threats. The current meeting of top leaders highlights how the ruling party continues to focus heavily on internal security and ideological conformity even while facing domestic challenges such as economic stagnation and debt. The scale of the recent expulsions underscores the tightening grip Xi holds over every level of the state apparatus.

   What is confirmed

   • Chinese leader Xi Jinping has used corruption probes and loyalty campaigns for more than a decade to bring officials to heel.
   • The Chinese Communist Party has opened its fifth plenum.
   • Observers state that Xi's anti-corruption campaign has become an effort to consolidate and maintain authority.
   • Xi is likely preparing to secure a fourth term in power in 2027.

   Still unconfirmed

   • China has expelled a record number of Communist Party officials, including 33 senior officials and 16 military figures, leaving the Central Military Commission with just two members.

   What to watch next

   • Decisions and official communiques emerging from the fifth plenum regarding party discipline and leadership lineups
   • Further announcements detailing the exact number of expelled officials and vacant seats in the Central Military Commission
   • Official timelines and signals regarding Xi Jinping securing a fourth term in 2027
   Sources used for this update (22)

   1. www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
   2. Brookings — Xi’s party: What to look for at the upcoming Chinese Communist Party plenum
   3. The Guardian — Xi Jinping’s corruption crackdown in the spotlight as China prepares for meeting of top leaders
   4. Reuters — China's Communist Party opens fifth plenum
   5. BBC — China's big political meeting could see Xi 'tighten discipline' in Party
   6. The New York Times — ‘Pull Out the Sick Trees’: Xi’s Constant Purges Pave Way for Next Term
   7. Yahoo — What to expect as China’s Communist Party begins closely-watched annual meeting
   8. NPR — What to know about China's plenum as Xi seeks stronger party discipline
   9. dnyuz.com — ‘Pull Out the Sick Trees’: Xi’s Constant Purges ... - DNyuz
   10. www.bbc.com — Record number of purges as Xi emphasises 'party discipline ...
   11. article.wn.com — ‘Pull Out the Sick Trees’: Xi’s Constant Purges Pave Way for Next Term - WorldNews
   12. www.deccanherald.com — ‘Pull out the sick trees’: Xi Jinping's constant purges pave ...
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