China Makes Rare Midterm Addition of General Zhang Shengmin to Politburo

China’s Communist Party elevated Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a leading military anti-corruption official, to the Politburo after a four-day leadership meeting. The meeting also formalized the expulsions of dozens of senior party members, underscoring Xi Jinping’s push to tighten party discipline amid a sweeping purge of military leaders. Zhang’s promotion is an unusual midterm addition to the Politburo and leaves him and Xi as the only remaining members of the military commission after other generals were removed. The party said its 21st Congress will convene in the second half of 2027, where Xi is expected to seek an unprecedented fourth five-year term.