China has purged Ma Xingrui, a senior Politburo member, over corruption and sex charges, marking the third such removal since 2022. The move signals President Xi Jinping's continued anti-corruption campaign targeting the party's highest ranks.

Ma Xingrui, 64, previously served as the Communist Party chief of Xinjiang from 2021 to 2022, overseeing the region during a period of intense international scrutiny over human rights allegations. Before that, he led China's space program as head of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, where he oversaw major achievements including the Chang'e lunar missions and the Tianwen-1 Mars probe.

His removal follows the ousters of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang and former Defense Minister Li Shangfu in 2023, both also Politburo members. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced the investigation, citing "serious violations of discipline and law" — standard phrasing for corruption probes.

Analysts view the purge as part of Xi's efforts to consolidate control ahead of key policy decisions, though the specific allegations against Ma remain undisclosed. The rapid succession of high-level removals has raised questions about stability within China's leadership.