The fourth plenum of China’s ruling Communist Party taking place this month will be closely watched for potential reshuffles, with at least nine members of its top policymaking Central Committee set to be replaced.
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These changes are expected either due to ongoing corruption investigations or because some officials have passed away, marking a new high in turnover since 2017.
The fourth plenum is one of seven typically held during each five-year term of the Central Committee. The coming edition is expected to be held between October 20 and 23 in Beijing and will focus on outlining the next five-year plan.
The present committee was formed at the 20th party congress in 2022, with 205 full and 171 alternate members. Three members were replaced at the third plenum held in July last year, including former foreign minister Qin Gang.
The party accepted Qin’s resignation application during the plenum but still referred to him as “comrade”, suggesting he was under criminal investigation but remained a party member.
Li Shangfu, a former defence minister, and Li Yuchao, a former Rocket Force chief, were also expelled from the Central Committee and stripped of their party membership at the time. Both faced corruption investigations.
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Further reshuffles are expected, given the downfall of more committee members since the third plenum.