China Expels Third Politburo Member in Deepening Anti-Corruption Drive

Jul 14, 2026

China has expelled Politburo member Ma Xingrui from the Communist Party, the third such purge since 2025, amid President Xi Jinping's intensifying anti-corruption drive. Ma is accused of wide-ranging corruption, including 'family corruption' and improperly arranging jobs. His downfall highlights growing scrutiny of China's defense and aerospace sectors, where Ma previously held senior roles.

Ma Xingrui expulsion

▪China has expelled former Politburo member Ma Xingrui from the Communist Party on corruption charges.
▪Ma Xingrui is the third sitting member of the Politburo to be purged since 2025.
▪Ma Xingrui was placed under investigation in April over suspected "serious violation of law and discipline," a euphemism for corruption.

Corruption allegations details

▪Investigators found Ma Xingrui sought benefits for others in official appointments and improperly arranged jobs.
▪Ma Xingrui is accused of engaging in large-scale "family corruption" by allowing relatives to use his influence to obtain huge benefits.
▪A Xinhua report stated Ma Xingrui failed to rein in misconduct by staff members around him.
▪Allegations against Ma Xingrui include helping relatives buy property below market prices and engaging in exchanges of power and money for sex.

Xi Jinping anti-graft campaign

▪Ma Xingrui's expulsion is part of President Xi Jinping's intensifying, years-long anti-corruption campaign.
▪He Weidong, a former vice chair of the Central Military Commission, was expelled from the Communist Party in October 2025.
▪In January, China began a corruption investigation into Zhang Youxia, the military's most senior general.

Associated officials investigations

▪Several officials in Xinjiang promoted after Ma Xingrui became party chief in late 2021 have been investigated in recent months.
▪A probe was announced in March into Guo Yonghang, Ma Xingrui's chief of staff in Shenzhen from 2015-2016.
▪In February, prosecutors accused former official Zhang Jianhua of bribery; Zhang had served under Ma Xingrui in 2013.

Ma's career trajectory

▪Ma Xingrui is a scientist-turned-administrator who previously worked for over a decade in China's state-owned aerospace industry.
▪Ma Xingrui's fall comes amid deepening scrutiny over China's defence and aerospace sectors.
▪In the 2000s, Ma Xingrui was an executive at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, overseeing major space programs.