China’s economy is slowing down, political purges are happening, and the political situation is sensitive. A recent national party building work symposium of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was held in Beijing for the first time, raising suspicions of a major cleansing within the political ranks. The presence and extraordinary authority of Cai Qi, who attended the meeting, continues to draw attention.
According to CCP state media reports, on June 15, the national party building work symposium of the CCP took place in Beijing. Cai Qi, a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee and Secretary of the Central Secretariat, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. Li Xi, another member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, also attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by Shi Taifeng, Minister of the Organization Department of the CCP. Li Shulei, Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and Mu Hong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, were also in attendance.
At this meeting, for the first time, the so-called “Xi Jinping Party Building Thought” was introduced.
A senior commentator in the United States, Tang Jingyuan, expressed to the Epoch Times that there were many abnormalities in this party building work symposium.
Firstly, in the past, similar meetings were referred to as working meetings of the party building leadership group, but this time it was called a national party building work symposium, likely the first time in history. Normally, as General Secretary, Xi Jinping pays great attention to party building work and should have made an appearance or given instructions at such a meeting. However, this did not happen, which is quite unusual.
The second abnormality, according to Tang Jingyuan, was that this high-profile meeting was chaired by Shi Taifeng, whereas in the past two consecutive years’ party building leadership group work meetings were chaired by Cai Qi. “This may indicate that Shi Taifeng’s actual position has been strengthened. It is widely known that Shi Taifeng belongs to the faction of Hu Jintao.”
Another abnormality pointed out by Tang Jingyuan is the presence of Liu Jingguo, the First Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, at this meeting, which is unprecedented. Liu Jingguo plays a very special role within the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. While Li Xi is the Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, significant anti-corruption cases at the highest levels of the CCP are mostly handled by Liu Jingguo. This includes cases potentially involving Li Xi, such as Ma Xingrui, and also cases that might implicate high-level officials like Wei Xiaodong, the Chairman of the Beijing CPPCC.
Tang Jingyuan believes that this could signal an upcoming wave of party reform and purges across the country. The joint presence of Li Xi and Liu Jingguo as the Secretary and First Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection respectively, unprecedentedly at the same meeting, may indicate that a new round of anti-corruption actions targeting Xi Jinping’s allies within the CCP might be in the works.
Xi Jinping currently holds numerous positions, including CCP General Secretary, President of China, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Chairman of the National Security Commission, Director of the Comprehensive Reform Committee, Director of the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau, Director of the Central Governance of China According to Law Committee, among others.
Cai Qi’s roles include being a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Head of the CCP Organization Department, Vice Chairman of the National Security Commission (with Zhao Leji and Li Qiang as the other two Vice Chairmen), Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Reform Committee (with Li Qiang and Wang Huning as the other two Deputy Directors), Deputy Director of the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau (with Li Qiang as the other Deputy Director), Director of the Central Cyberspace Administration (tasked to Cai by Xi), Secretary of the Central and State Organs Work Committee, Head of the Central Party Building Work Leadership Group, Deputy Director of the Central Governance of China According to Law Committee (with Zhao Leji and Li Qiang as the other two Deputy Directors). Cai Qi also took up the position of President of the Central Party School (National Academy of Administration) at the beginning of June.
In addition, Cai Qi oversees party affairs, propaganda, and the Central Social Work Department responsible for national deployments.
A senior commentator from Canada, Sheng Xue, told the Epoch Times that Cai Qi’s control of power is exceedingly large, and he may even have a hand in Xi Jinping’s personal army. When Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, Zhang Yuxia, was arrested, Cai Qi played a crucial role in the matter. Sheng Xue speculates that Cai Qi may have certain more secretive, functional roles that are not necessarily publicly disclosed through the CCP system.
She stated that Xi Jinping lacks confidence in many matters and doubts many people, hence heavily relies on Cai Qi. Cai Qi is not only perceived as a political ally but also as a very close confidant. Indeed, Xi Jinping has moved from being hands-on in many matters during his previous two terms to a mode where he can steer from behind the scenes.
Regarding Cai Qi possibly succeeding Xi Jinping as the leader of the CCP, Sheng Xue believes that Cai Qi is more like Xi Jinping’s personal steward than a successor.
Nevertheless, Sheng Xue noted that Cai Qi does not have a positive image either in China or internationally. For instance, his ruthless clearance of “low-end population” in Beijing in 2017 portrayed a negative side. Currently, although he appears to be consolidating power for Xi Jinping, he may actually be creating enemies for him. “Ultimately, this may turn Xi Jinping into a dictator who becomes increasingly isolated and closed off. From this perspective, Cai Qi is indeed helping Xi Jinping to dig a grave for the Communist Party’s rule.”