Intense infighting within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has led to frequent downfall of high-ranking officials. According to incomplete statistics from Dajiyuan, nearly 70 members of the Central Committee generated by the CCP’s 20th Congress have been purged, accounting for around 18% of all members. Experts say that the current leadership of the CCP, composed of remnants of Xi and Jiang factions after the 20th Congress, is even more unstable. Currently, senior CCP officials are either being toppled by Xi Jinping or are attempting to overthrow him, escalating internal conflicts to a boiling point.
In October 2022, out of the 205 Central Committee members elected in the CCP’s 20th Congress, 55 have encountered troubles since then, including official announcements of downfall, dismissal, disappearance, and one suspected individual who died after purported interrogation.
Among those formally expelled from the Party are 14 individuals, including former Defense Minister Li Shangfu, former Rocket Force Commander Li Yuchao, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian, former Governor of Shanxi Province Jin Xiangjun, former Political Commissar of the Armed Police Wang Chunning, former Commander of the National Guard Wang Chun’ning, former Vice Chairman of the Military Commission He Waidong, among others.
Another 13 individuals were officially investigated, such as former Chairman of the Securities Regulatory Commission Yi Huiman, former Minister of the Central Military Commission Logistics Support Department Zhang Lin, and various other high-ranking officials.
In the military domain, a significant number of top-level officials, including numerous senior generals, have been dismissed or gone missing. The list includes commanders, political commissars, and other key figures from different military regions and branches.
The absence or disappearance of several lieutenant generals, such as Wang Kai, Commander of the Tibet Military Region, and Yang Cheng, former Political Commissar of the Xinjiang Military Region, indicates a broader pattern of instability within the military leadership.
Furthermore, there have been instances of fatalities or unexplained disappearances among Party and military officials at different levels, contributing to a sense of uncertainty and power struggles within the CCP.
The ongoing turmoil and purges within the CCP’s high echelons have raised concerns about the state of the Party’s leadership and the direction of its internal power dynamics. The sheer number of officials being ousted or investigated points to a significant shift within the Party’s elite circles.
Senior political commentator Chen Pokong emphasizes that the current upheaval and chaos within the CCP’s leadership, reminiscent of the turbulent periods of the Cultural Revolution, highlight a unique phase in the Party’s history. The power struggles and purges under Xi Jinping’s administration have created a situation where loyalty and alliances are constantly shifting, fueling a climate of uncertainty and fear among officials.
Chen Pokong draws parallels between the current political climate in China and historical dictatorships, suggesting that the internal strife and elimination of rivals within the Party reflect a dangerous trend towards authoritarian rule and consolidation of power under Xi Jinping.
As the CCP’s internal conflicts intensify and dissenting voices are marginalized or eliminated, the opaque and secretive nature of these power struggles underscores the fragility of the regime and the potential for further instability in the days ahead.