A widening anti-graft push in China is reshaping elite politics around ethnic affairs. This year alone, three former chairs of autonomous regions—Qizhala (Tibet), Lan Tianli (Guangxi), and Liu Hui (Ningxia)—have faced probes or party expulsion. Their fall underscores a clear shift: ethnicity is no longer a shield in political discipline.

Who’s been targeted—and why it matters

Autonomous regions are typically led by chairs from non-Han communities, second only to the party chief. Historically, top minority officials were rarely touched by major crackdowns. That calculus has changed. The message from Beijing is that misconduct will be punished regardless of background, closing the era of informal leniency in “ethnic affairs.”

End of “exceptions” in ethnic governance

For decades, policy and practice allowed more flexible treatment in remote areas and minority contexts. The new wave of investigations suggests those allowances are fading. The priority now is uniform political discipline—signals that ethical and financial accountability apply equally to all cadres.

Fewer minority voices at the top

The share of ethnic minority members in national party bodies has slipped to record lows in recent years, and key ethnic-affairs posts are increasingly held by Han officials. Analysts warn this could erode minority representation and reduce the number of senior leaders with on-the-ground expertise in border regions.

Narrative work in Xinjiang

The shift in discipline coincides with a renewed state narrative on national identity. A fresh documentary dramatizing Qing general Zuo Zongtang’s 19th-century reconquest of Xinjiang aims to buttress a “single Chinese nation” storyline—framing borderlands history as integral to state unity and modern governance.

The bigger picture

Anti-corruption remains a centerpiece of Xi Jinping’s agenda, with disciplinary actions far exceeding early-2010s levels. Coupled with identity-focused messaging, the campaign points to a more centralized, uniform approach to governing diverse regions—one that prizes cohesion, rule enforcement, and political reliability over past accommodations.