Xi Jinping Intensifies Purges to Secure Fourth Term
Xi Jinping is conducting wide-ranging corruption probes and loyalty campaigns against high-ranking officials and military leaders ahead of the 2027 party congress.
General Secretary Xi Jinping is intensifying corruption probes and loyalty campaigns to consolidate power before the 2027 party congress, where he is expected to secure a fourth term. Xi has criticized officials for being apathetic, disloyal, and "two-faced," stating that the party must "pull out the sick trees that should be pulled out, chop down the ones that should be chopped down."
The campaign has targeted high-ranking civilian and military leaders. Recent purges include the investigation of Huang Qifan, the former mayor of Chongqing, and Xia Linmao, a deputy mayor of Beijing. The military has been heavily impacted, including the detention of General Zhang Youxia on accusations of corruption and disloyalty. Additionally, longtime aides to Wang Qishan, the former leader of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, have been detained on suspicion of corruption.
These actions coincide with a meeting of the Central Committee in Beijing to establish rules for scrutinizing officials. The crackdown occurs as the Chinese government manages a slowing economy and a prolonged housing crash.
