BEIJING, China — Chinese authorities have expelled senior Communist Party official Ma Xingrui from the ruling party after concluding an investigation into alleged corruption and disciplinary violations, making him one of the highest-ranking officials removed under President Xi Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign.
State media reported Tuesday that Ma, who joined the Communist Party’s 24-member Politburo in 2022, was expelled after investigators concluded he committed multiple violations of party discipline and national law. His removal underscores the campaign’s continued reach into China’s top leadership ahead of next year’s 21st Communist Party Congress.
One of Xi’s Highest-Ranking Targets
Ma is one of only three members of the current Politburo to be removed during Xi’s anti-corruption drive. The other two were senior military generals.
State media referred to Ma as a former Politburo member in Tuesday’s reports, reflecting his removal from one of China’s most powerful decision-making bodies.
Neil Thomas, a China politics specialist at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said the case demonstrates Xi’s continued authority over the party’s senior leadership as preparations begin for the next party congress.
Investigators Detail Alleged Misconduct
Authorities announced in April that Ma was under investigation for what they described as serious violations of party discipline and national law but released few details at the time.
On Tuesday, investigators said Ma accepted money and gifts, engaged in what they described as “power-for-sex” and “power-for-money” exchanges, used his position to secure contracts and promotions for others, ignored alleged misconduct by close aides, and allowed family members to profit from his political influence.
Thomas said the case suggests Chinese officials may face scrutiny not only for their own conduct but also for actions involving relatives and close associates.
Career Spanned Aerospace and Regional Leadership
The 66-year-old served as Communist Party secretary of the Xinjiang region until 2025. He previously served as governor of Guangdong province, China’s manufacturing hub bordering Hong Kong. Under China’s political system, the party secretary is the province’s highest-ranking official and holds greater authority than the governor.
Before entering regional politics, Ma trained as an engineer and spent part of his career in China’s aerospace industry.
Broader Crackdown Continues
China’s anti-corruption agency also announced Tuesday that it had opened an investigation into the official responsible for mine safety in Shanxi province following a fatal coal mine explosion in May.
The latest announcement indicates Beijing continues to pursue corruption and disciplinary investigations across multiple levels of government as Xi’s campaign remains active.
