Following the sudden downfall of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Zhang Youxia, the top political atmosphere remains tense. CCP leader Xi Jinping recently attended a Lunar New Year cultural performance to show support for retired senior military officials of the Beijing garrison, with many details of the event exposing a deep crisis within the ranks of the CCP’s military.
The military cultural performance for retired officials of the Beijing garrison, attended by Xi Jinping who also serves as the Chairman of the Military Commission, took place on the afternoon of February 6th in Beijing. Xi watched the performance and expressed his condolences to the retired military officials.
During the event broadcast by CCTV, Xi Jinping was accompanied only by Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, Zhang Shengmin. Former high-ranking officials of the Military Commission, including Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Liu Zhenli, and Miao Hua, who had previously attended similar events in the past years, were all removed from their positions.
Xi Jinping shook hands individually with the retired officials upon entering the venue, but Zhang Shengmin did not. Normally, the protocol would be for Xi and the accompanying Vice Chairman to follow the same gesture. In contrast to previous years, where Xi did not shake hands with some officials, this year’s interaction raised speculation about internal tensions within the military hierarchy.
Analysts on current affairs, such as Tang Jingyuan and Li Dayu, pointed out the awkward and tense expressions of Zhang Shengmin and the heightened scrutiny placed on him during the event, suggesting potential internal power struggles and uncertainties regarding his future within the party.
Upon closer examination of the event, the presence of young, heavily built personnel believed to be security guards alongside the elderly retired military officials was noticed. Their serious expressions and vigilant demeanor stood out, particularly during interactions involving Xi Jinping and the retired officials.
Comparisons to previous years highlighted the diminished presence of current and former military officials alongside Xi Jinping, indicating a significant shift in the dynamics of power within the military leadership in recent years.
Furthermore, the absence of senior figures like Li Zuocheng at the event raised speculation about potential political implications or health concerns, adding to the intrigue surrounding the unfolding dynamics within the CCP’s military establishment.
In summary, despite the outward appearance of a festive occasion, the recent event has brought to light the underlying crisis within the CCP’s military ranks, marked by severe purges, mutual distrust among leadership, and internal instability, signaling a deeper power struggle within the party’s military apparatus.