China has expelled two former high-ranking officials from the Communist Party as part of its continuing anti-corruption drive, according to a statement released on November 3, 2025 by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The officials, Wang Jianjun, former vice-chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and Xu Xianping, former deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, were found to have committed serious violations of party discipline and state laws, including accepting bribes and abusing their positions for personal gain.

The CCDI stated that the actions of both men had caused “serious damage” to the political environment and undermined public trust in the institutions they once led. Their expulsion marks one of the more high-profile disciplinary actions against senior figures in China’s financial and economic policy sector in recent months. The move is seen as part of broader efforts by Beijing to reinforce control and restore credibility within regulatory bodies that play key roles in the management of capital markets, financial supervision, and national development strategy.

Wang Jianjun’s position in the securities regulatory commission placed him at the heart of China’s efforts to modernize and stabilize its financial markets. Meanwhile, Xu Xianping oversaw major areas of economic planning, giving him influence over policies that shaped national growth initiatives. Both figures had retired from public roles before coming under investigation, a development that underscores the party’s claim that investigations do not end when officials leave office.

The expulsions signal the Chinese leadership’s intent to continue its long-running anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted thousands of officials across various levels of government, the military, and state-owned enterprises. While the campaign is officially described as a measure to maintain party integrity and protect the state, critics have sometimes viewed it as a tool for political consolidation. Nevertheless, the latest actions emphasize that the party continues to scrutinize governance in major economic sectors, particularly those tied to financial regulation and national planning.

Both cases have now been transferred for further legal review, and criminal prosecution is expected to follow. The expulsions send a strong message within China’s administrative and regulatory ranks: seniority and retirement do not guarantee immunity, and loyalty to party rules is expected to remain absolute. As the country continues to navigate economic challenges, leadership reshuffles and disciplinary investigations are likely to remain central features of China’s governance landscape.