On the evening of September 30, 2026, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held its annual “National Day” reception as customary. Among the 25 former members of the Politburo, 5 were absent, including Tian Jiyun, Chi Haotian, Wu Yi, Zeng Peiyan, and Liu Yandong. Chi Haotian and Liu Yandong attended the “National Day” reception in 2024 and 2025, but were absent this year.
According to the CCP’s official media Xinhua News Agency, on the evening of September 30, 2026, the CCP’s 77th anniversary reception was held at the Great Hall of the People. CCP leader Xi Jinping, current members of the Politburo Standing Committee, members of the Political Bureau in Beijing, as well as retired vice-national-level officials, and military commission members attended the reception.
CCTV’s “Xinwen Lianbo” showcased scenes from the event, with 20 former members of the Politburo in attendance, including Wang Lequan, Wang Zhaoguo, Hui Liangyu, Liu Qi, Cao Gangchuan, Wang Gang, Li Yuanchao, Ma Kai, Sun Chunlan, Li Jianguo, Fan Changlong, Meng Jianzhu, Guo Jinlong, Wang Chen, Liu He, Yang Jiechi, Yang Xiaodu, Chen Xi, Chen Quanguo, and Guo Shengkun. The oldest among them was former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission Cao Gangchuan, born in December 1935, currently 90 years old.
On February 14, 2026, on the eve of the Chinese New Year, Xinhua News Agency conventionally reported on the Central leaders visiting veteran comrades. After the current national-level Standing Committee members were listed, 24 former Politburo members were included, among them Tian Jiyun, Chi Haotian, Wang Lequan, Wang Zhaoguo, Hui Liangyu, Liu Qi, Wu Yi, Cao Gangchuan, Zeng Peiyan, Wang Gang, Liu Yandong, Li Yuanchao, Ma Kai, Sun Chunlan, Li Jianguo, Fan Changlong, Meng Jianzhu, Guo Jinlong, Wang Chen, Liu He, Yang Jiechi, Yang Xiaodu, Chen Quanguo, Guo Shengkun.
At that time, Chen Xi had not yet stepped down from positions such as the President of the Central Party School of the CCP Central Committee and the President of the National School of Administration, so he was not on the list of veteran comrades. Former Politburo members Zhang Chunxian and Liu Qibao were listed with their previous positions as well as former Vice Chairmen of the National People’s Congress and former Vice Chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Comparing the above list, five former Politburo members were absent from the “National Day” reception on the evening of September 30, 2026, namely Tian Jiyun, Chi Haotian, Wu Yi, Zeng Peiyan, and Liu Yandong.
Inquiries into CCTV’s reports on the “National Day” receptions in 2023, 2024, and 2025 after the 20th Party Congress revealed that for the past three years, Tian Jiyun and Wu Yi had not attended the “National Day” receptions. Tian Jiyun served consecutive terms as a member of the 13th, 14th, and 15th CCP Central Politburo; born in June 1929, currently 97 years old. Wu Yi was a member of the 16th CCP Politburo and Vice Premier of the State Council; born in November 1938, currently 87 years old.
Chi Haotian had attended the “National Day” receptions in the past three years but was absent from this year’s event. Chi Haotian was a member of the 15th CCP …