Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member Expelled for Corruption
China’s disciplinary authorities have officially expelled former Politburo member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and former Party Secretary of the Xinjiang region, Ma Xingrui, from party membership. In addition to his expulsion from the party, Ma was also stripped of all public positions following an in-depth investigation into alleged corruption.
The announcement was released by Chinese state media on Tuesday (14 July), following the completion of an investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The findings of the investigation into the 67-year-old were previously reviewed and approved at a Politburo meeting on 30 June, before being published via the Xinhua news agency.
In its official report, the CCDI accused Ma of committing a series of serious disciplinary and legal violations. Ma was declared to have lost his political ideals and convictions, as well as betraying the party’s principles and original mission. The investigation, which began last April, exposed the dark side of the senior official’s political career.
Beyond the political violations, the CCDI set out a number of specific allegations against him.
Xinhua confirmed that Ma had abused public power as a tool for personal gain, including in the arrangement of project contracts, business operations, and promotions for certain individuals.
Ma Xingrui’s case is considered rare, as he is a member of the CCP’s highest political body to be prosecuted by law whilst still serving within the same term of office (2022-2027). He is the third Politburo member to be caught up in an investigation during this period.
With Ma’s expulsion, along with the departure of former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) He Weidong and the investigation into Zhang Youxia, the number of Politburo members has now dwindled. From an original membership of 24, only 21 active members remain.
Before falling into the vortex of corruption, Ma Xingrui had a highly distinguished career. He was known as an aerospace expert who once served as general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) from 2007 to 2013. He even held a key role as deputy commander of China’s crewed space programme.
In the bureaucratic sphere, Ma served as Governor of Guangdong and Party Secretary of Shenzhen before being appointed to lead Xinjiang in 2021, replacing Chen Quanguo. However, that reputation has now collapsed amid findings of rampant corruption within his family circle.
The Chinese authorities have confirmed that all assets allegedly derived from criminal acts will be seized. Ma’s case has now been handed over to the judicial authorities for further processing in accordance with applicable law in China.