China Expels Politburo Member Ma Xingrui Over Corruption Charges

The Communist Party of China expelled Ma Xingrui, a member of the 24-member Politburo and former party chief of Xinjiang, from the party and dismissed him from public office on July 14, 2026. The decision followed an investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, which began in April. Ma, 66, is the third sitting member of the elite decision-making body purged since 2025 as part of President Xi Jinping's intensifying anti-corruption campaign.

Investigators found that Ma engaged in large-scale family corruption, including helping relatives purchase property at below-market prices and accepting illegal gifts and bribes. He was further accused of arranging improper job promotions and engaging in "power-for-sex" and "money-for-sex" transactions. Authorities also stated that Ma failed to supervise staff who committed criminal acts and used his authority to secure business benefits for others. His suspected criminal case and illicit assets have been transferred to prosecutors.

Ma's downfall follows his previous roles as governor of Guangdong province and an executive at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. This purge coincides with broader scrutiny of China's defense and aerospace sectors, which have targeted other high-ranking officials including Zhang Youxia and He Weidong. Separately, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced an investigation into Hu Haijun, director of the Shanxi bureau of the National Mine Safety Administration, following a deadly mine explosion in May.