China holds party meeting to strengthen discipline and loyalty

China's Communist Party has opened a four-day meeting to discuss stricter discipline inside the party. Around 300 senior members are attending, but many seats are empty. Eight positions on the Central Committee are vacant, and 15 more members are under investigation. Five of the seven top military commanders have also been removed in recent years.

Xi Jinping has spent years removing officials he considers disloyal, often using corruption charges against them. Nine military officials were dismissed just before this meeting began. State media says the meeting will lead to tighter rules for party members.

Experts expect this to be the worst-attended meeting of its kind since Mao Zedong died in 1976. New military appointments are likely before the meeting closes.