China Expels Top Official Ma Xingrui Over Corruption, ‘Power-and-Money-for-S*x’ Exchanges

China has expelled former Politburo member Ma Xingrui from the ruling Communist Party after investigators accused him of illegally accepting gifts, helping relatives purchase property below market value and engaging in exchanges involving "power and money for s*x." The expulsion marks one of the highest-profile corruption cases under President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-graft campaign and makes Ma the third sitting member of China's elite decision-making body to be purged since 2025.

Ma, who also served as deputy head of the central rural work leading group, was placed under investigation in April over suspected "serious violation of law and discipline", the Communist Party's standard term for corruption-related offences. His membership in China's parliament was revoked last month, and the latest disciplinary action is expected to pave the way for criminal prosecution. China Sentences Former Defence Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu to Death With Reprieve in High-Profile Military Corruption Case.

China Expels Top Official Ma Xingrui Over Corruption, S*x Charges

According to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), investigators found that Ma had sought benefits for others in the selection and appointment of officials and improperly arranged jobs for others. The CCDI also alleged that he "connived at, failed to detect and failed to rein in serious violations of discipline and law, and suspected criminal conduct, by staff members around him."

The report further alleged that Ma illegally accepted gifts, helped relatives purchase property at below-market prices and engaged in exchanges involving power and money for s*x. Authorities also accused Ma of allowing family members to exploit his official influence to obtain significant benefits, describing the case as large-scale "family corruption." The CCDI said he illegally accepted huge sums of money and property but did not disclose the amount involved. Yang Youlin Sentenced to Death in China Over Massive USD 325 Million Bribery and Laundering Conviction.

Experts Say Charges Are Unusually Severe

"A decision to purge someone of Ma Xingrui's rank is taken at the very top, with Xi Jinping's backing," said Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt, professor of modern Chinese studies at the University of Zurich. He said the language used by the anti-graft watchdog was "extremely serious," adding that several of the accusations were unusual for corruption cases involving senior officials.

"What is uncommon is that all of it is framed as 'extremely serious in nature', a top-severity tag that occurs in well under one percent of cases," Mittelstaedt said. He added that while some senior officials had previously received a "soft landing," Ma's case was different. "The family dimension ... is most likely what tipped the balance toward prosecution rather than a quiet exit," he said. Ma could not be reached for comment.

Associates Also Face Investigation

The investigation into Ma comes alongside probes involving several officials linked to his previous postings. In March, authorities announced an investigation into Guo Yonghang, who served as Ma's chief of staff during his tenure as Shenzhen's top official between 2015 and 2016. Guo later rose through the ranks in Guangdong province while Ma served as governor.

Several officials promoted after Ma became Communist Party chief of Xinjiang in late 2021 have also come under investigation in recent months.

Scientist-Turned-Administrator

Before entering senior politics, Ma built his career in China's aerospace sector. A trained rocket scientist, he spent more than a decade at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, overseeing major space programmes before moving into government administration.

His political rise later included senior leadership roles in Guangdong, Xinjiang and the central government. Ma's downfall comes amid increasing scrutiny of China's defence and aerospace sectors. Earlier this year, prosecutors accused former defence industry regulator Zhang Jianhua of bribery and abuse of influence. Zhang previously served under Ma when he headed the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

In the same period, three Chinese lawmakers with ties to the defence, aerospace and nuclear industries were also removed from their positions.

Xi's Anti-Corruption Drive Continues

Ma's expulsion is the latest development in President Xi Jinping's long-running anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted senior Communist Party, government and military officials.

Millions of officials across China's bureaucracy have faced investigations of varying levels since the campaign began, according to official figures.

In January, authorities opened a corruption investigation into Zhang Youxia, China's most senior military general. Former Central Military Commission vice chair He Weidong was expelled from the Communist Party in October last year.

China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection is the Communist Party's top internal anti-corruption agency. Officials expelled from the Party typically face criminal investigations and prosecution after internal disciplinary proceedings conclude. Xi Jinping's anti-graft campaign, launched shortly after he took office in 2012, has become one of the defining features of his administration, reaching the highest levels of the Party, military and state-owned enterprises.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 14, 2026 08:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).