China promotes General Zhang Shengmin to Communist Party Politburo
The gist
General Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, was promoted to the Communist Party's Politburo.
The move leaves Xi Jinping and Zhang as the military commission's only active members.
How it unfolded
- Oct 26, 2026The fifth plenum of the Central Committee opened in Beijing, with over 300 party figures meeting behind closed doors on party self-governance, discipline and anti-corruption.
- Oct 27, 2026Reports said Xi Jinping was expected to demand absolute loyalty from the political elite at the plenum.
- Oct 29, 2026General Zhang Shengmin, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, was promoted to the Politburo, the party's top decision-making body.