Chinese Communist Party confirms expulsion of 33 officials

The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party has confirmed the expulsion of 33 senior officials at a key meeting. The committee concluded its four-day fifth plenary session in Beijing on Thursday. Participants adopted a resolution calling for what it described as "full and rigorous Party self-governance."

The participants upheld earlier decisions by the committee's Political Bureau to expel the officials for what it called "grave violations of discipline and the law." The participants also decided to convene the party's next National Congress in Beijing in the second half of next year. The congress is held once every five years to set a new leadership lineup.