China expels former Politburo member Ma Xingrui over corruption, case heads for criminal prosecution

BEIJING, CHINA: Former Chinese Communist Party Politburo member and former Xinjiang Communist Party secretary Ma Xingrui (马兴瑞) has been expelled from the Communist Party and dismissed from public office after a high-profile anti-corruption investigation concluded he committed multiple serious disciplinary and legal violations.

The announcement was carried by state broadcaster CCTV on 14 July, following the Politburo's review and approval of an investigation report by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), the party's top anti-corruption watchdog, on 30 June.

Ma, 67, is the third serving Politburo member to come under investigation during the current leadership term, which began after the 20th Communist Party Congress in 2022, marking a rare development within China's top political leadership.

Chinese authorities first announced the investigation into Ma in April.

Wide-ranging disciplinary findings

According to the CCDI, Ma had "lost his ideals and beliefs", abandoned his political convictions and "betrayed the party's principles and original mission". The watchdog also concluded that he had seriously violated the party's political discipline and rules.

The investigation alleged that Ma improperly accepted gifts and money while using his official position for personal gain.

The CCDI accused him of helping relatives purchase homes at below-market prices and engaging in what it described as "power-for-sex and money-for-sex transactions".

Authorities also alleged that Ma allowed relatives to exploit his political influence for substantial financial gain, describing his conduct as fostering widespread corruption within his family.

According to the disciplinary findings, Ma abused public authority by using his position to secure benefits for others in business operations, project contracting and personnel promotions.

The CCDI further alleged that Ma, through family members or associates, illegally accepted large sums of money and valuable property.

Abuse of power and personnel interference

The investigation also concluded that Ma failed to properly supervise subordinates who committed serious disciplinary violations and suspected criminal offences, resulting in what the CCDI described as severe consequences, although no further details were disclosed.

The watchdog further accused Ma of interfering in personnel decisions by seeking favourable treatment for individuals during cadre selection and appointment processes.

It also alleged that he improperly arranged employment opportunities for others, both directly and through relatives.

The CCDI said Ma failed to truthfully disclose his corruption-related conduct during the party's initial disciplinary inquiries.

According to the findings, his misconduct continued even after the 18th Communist Party Congress, when President Xi Jinping launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign alongside stricter rules governing official conduct.

Case transferred for prosecution

The disciplinary report described Ma's conduct as "extremely serious in nature" and said it had created an "extremely bad influence".

Authorities said all illegal gains would be confiscated, and the case will now be transferred to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution, where Ma is expected to face trial under China's legal system.

Expulsion from the Communist Party and dismissal from public office are among the most severe disciplinary penalties imposed before criminal proceedings begin.

The case marks another significant development in China's long-running anti-corruption campaign, which has resulted in investigations and prosecutions involving officials across all levels of government and the Communist Party.

Ma previously served as a member of the Politburo, the Communist Party's elite decision-making body, and as Communist Party secretary of Xinjiang, one of China's most politically sensitive regions.

His investigation and subsequent expulsion make him one of the highest-ranking officials to face disciplinary action during the current leadership term.

The Politburo's approval of the CCDI report formally endorsed the disciplinary body's findings before the sanctions were announced.