China’s 5th Plenum Closes: 33 Expelled, Zhang Shengmin Joins Politburo

The fifth plenum of the CCP Central Committee closed on October 29, confirming the expulsion of 33 members including former top general Zhang Youxia and promoting CMC Vice Chair Zhang Shengmin to the Politburo. Nearly 20 members were absent without announced punishment, and multiple vacancies in the military commission and Central Committee remain unfilled, signaling cautious personnel decisions by Xi Jinping.