The Chinese Communist Party held a “special seminar” for provincial and ministerial level officials today (20th) regarding the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee. The vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, and member of the Military Commission, Liu Zhenli, were both absent, sparking numerous negative rumors online about their whereabouts. However, some believe that the likelihood of something happening to them is low. The Minister of the Central Organization Department, Shi Taifeng, was also absent. Analysts believe that due to the secretive nature of the Chinese Communist Party’s operations, the reasons for their absence remain to be observed.
According to reports from CCTV, the main provincial and ministerial level leaders of the Chinese Communist Party regarding the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee convened for a “special seminar” at the Central Party School on the morning of the 20th. Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping delivered a speech. The report mentioned that members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, State Councilor, President of the Supreme People’s Court, Procurator General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, and Deputy Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference attended the opening ceremony.
In CCTV footage, it was observed that Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, Political Bureau member Ma Xingrui, Minister of the Central Organization Department Shi Taifeng, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and Military Commission member and Chief of the Joint Staff Department Liu Zhenli were all absent.
According to official information, Vice Premier He Lifeng attended the Davos Forum in Switzerland from January 19th to 22nd. Ma Xingrui has been absent from several important occasions and has long been rumored to be under investigation. The reasons for the absence of the other three individuals are unknown.
Among the military leaders, newly appointed Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Shengmin and Minister of National Defense Dong Jun both attended the opening ceremony today.
On overseas social media platforms, there have been numerous negative rumors circulating about Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. Some accounts claimed, “The two vice chairmen of the Military Commission at the 20th General Assembly have realized victory in their meeting,” accompanied by photos of Zhang Youxia and the already fallen He Weidong. However, some netizens remarked, “Did something happen to Zhang Youxia? Cannot confirm, but the probability is extremely low.”
Political commentator Li Lin expressed that the unexplained absence of Shi Taifeng, Zhang Youxia, and Liu Zhenli this time reveals the secretive nature of the Chinese Communist Party. The absence of high-ranking officials in significant events may be related to losing a power struggle or health issues. However, the simultaneous unexplained absence of several individuals is truly mysterious. The political situation in the Chinese Communist Party is currently intricate, and anything could happen.
Previously, on October 17th of last year, authorities announced the downfall of 9 senior military officials, including He Weidong, Miao Hua, and Lin Xiangyang. The communique of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party on October 23 confirmed the expulsion of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others from the Party; on October 24, a military report discussed anti-corruption efforts in the army, claiming to have addressed the cases of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others, demonstrating that there is no place for corrupt elements in the military and that it has effectively eliminated significant political risks.
Independent commentator Du Zheng pointed out that the downfall of He Weidong and others stemmed from internal power struggles with Zhang Youxia. While Zhang Shengmin was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, he did not enter the Political Bureau. Zhang Youxia, becoming the only member of the Political Bureau in the military, essentially wielded military power supreme and aloof.