China Expels Politburo Member Ma Xingrui Amid Corruption Scandal and S*x Charges
Senior Chinese official Ma Xingrui has been expelled from the Communist Party and the Politburo amid a major anti-corruption purge. Accused of bribery and 'power-for-s*x' transactions, the former Xinjiang leader is the third Politburo member ousted under Xi Jinping's campaign. His assets have been confiscated, and his case has been transferred to prosecutors for further action.
The Chinese Communist Party announced on Tuesday, July 14, the expulsion of senior official Ma Xingrui, marking a significant development in President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Ma, the former party secretary for the Xinjiang region and a member of the Politburo, was removed from office following allegations of corruption, abuse of power for favours and s*x.
Ma is the third member of the Politburo to be ousted during this current campaign, following the earlier removals of military officials He Weidong and Zhang Youxia. His expulsion reduces the top governing body to 21 members. Thailand Shocker: Chinese Man With Sexual Fetish Allegedly Rapes 18-Year-Old University Student in Bangkok, Records Video of Sex Assault; Arrested After Sting Operation.
Allegations of Misconduct
China’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, placed Ma under investigation in April. On Tuesday, officials stated that the 66-year-old had “severely violated political discipline” and was suspected of bribery and “large-scale family corruption.” According to the commission, Ma allegedly accepted money and gifts, facilitated discounted real estate purchases for relatives, and engaged in “power-for-s*x and money-for-s*x transactions.” The investigation also found that he had “illegally accepted huge sums of money and property” through associates. Officials described the case as “extremely serious", confirming that his assets have been confiscated and his case has been transferred to prosecutors.
A Shift in Political Accountability
Ma’s removal underscores a notable shift in how high-ranking officials are held accountable under the current administration. “It used to be that if you reached the rank of Politburo it would have to be something very, very, very serious before you were taken down,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in London. “This was changed by Xi. Now, Politburo members drop like bowling pins," he added. Tsang added that the frequency of these purges serves a strategic purpose: “By taking a number of them down, he is sending out a clear message: ‘Behave and do what you are told.’” ‘Sex Camp’ in China: ‘Sex Appeal’ Training Camp by Sex Appeal Academy Allegedly Charges USD 420 To Teach Women Art of Seduction, Discourage Their Husbands From Cheating.
Career Background and Tenure
Before his rise to political prominence, Ma was a senior executive at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Once referred to as the “young marshal of the aerospace industry” by the People’s Daily, he played a key role in China’s early oceanographic satellite programs and manned space missions. Ma later transitioned into regional governance, overseeing Xinjiang. His tenure in the region occurred during a period of intense international scrutiny regarding human rights and state-sponsored labour programs. In 2022, he presided over the region during a deadly fire in Urumqi, which served as a catalyst for widespread national protests against then-active zero-COVID policies.
The investigation into Ma follows similar actions against several of his former subordinates, including Zhang Jianhua and Guo Yonghang, both of whom were expelled from the party earlier this year for corruption-related offences.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2026 11:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
