Sweeping Changes in China's Central Committee Amid Military Purge

In a move that marks the highest personnel turnover since 2017, China's ruling Communist Party has replaced 11 members of its elite Central Committee. The decision was announced at the conclusion of a pivotal closed-door meeting, underlining ongoing efforts to tackle military corruption and reinforce control within the party.

During this key session, veteran Chinese general Zhang Shengmin, 67, was elevated to the position of second-ranked vice chair of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). His appointment comes amid a sweeping anti-corruption campaign spearheaded by President Xi Jinping, who has been actively targeting corrupt practices within the Party and military.

The plenum, which also focused on a five-year economic development plan to enhance technological self-reliance, sends a strong message of President Xi's dominance and commitment to reform. Observers note the exceptional level of trust placed in Zhang, given his concurrent role as deputy secretary of China's top anti-corruption body, reflecting his substantial influence within the party's structure.