This is not the first time a high-ranking official has been affected during the long-term anti-corruption campaign led by China’s leader Xi Jinping.
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Ma Xingrui was a member of the 24-member Politburo, which consists of the highest party leaders. In recent reports, state media referred to him as a former member of this body.
He is one of three current Politburo members serving from 2022 to 2027 who have been removed during the anti-corruption campaign. The other two are generals. Analysts say this campaign is an important tool to ensure loyalty to Xi Jinping and fight corruption.
Ma Xingrui’s removal was confirmed in April when it was announced that he was under investigation for serious violations of party discipline and national laws, but no details were provided.
Reports published on Tuesday state that party institutions identified a long list of violations – from accepting gifts and money to “exchanges of influence for sex” and “exchanges of influence for money” deals.
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Among other violations cited were using his position to secure contracts and promotions for others, as well as ignoring violations and alleged criminal activities carried out by close associates.
66-year-old Ma Xingrui served as the Communist Party leader in the Xinjiang region until 2025, and before that was governor of Guangdong province, a manufacturing giant bordering Hong Kong in southern China.
In the Chinese system, the party leader in a province or region ranks higher than the governor. Educated as an engineer, Ma Xingrui worked in the aviation and aerospace industry before joining local government.
Separately, the party’s anti-corruption body announced on Tuesday that it is investigating the director of mine safety in Shanxi province following a fatal coal mine explosion in May.
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