On October 16, 2026, the Chinese Communist Party journal “Qiushi” published a speech by the CCP leader Xi Jinping on January 12, 2026, at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Xi emphasized the continuous fight against corruption and the need to be vigilant against “two-faced individuals” who harbor dual intentions.
Xi also stated that the manifestations of “two-faced individuals” come in various forms. Some vocally express political loyalty and commitment, but in reality, they act contrary to their words and even engage in activities such as bribery and deception. Some engage in political opportunism and are always ready to defect.
Xi referred to the “seven manifestations” of these individuals, which include favoritism towards relatives, forming cliques, spreading rumors, manipulating votes, seeking personal gain, being deceitful, and undermining the central authority.
As the Fifth Plenum of the CCP approached, the publication of Xi’s remarks by the CCP journal signaled a political purge targeting “two-faced individuals.” This term not only refers to officials at various levels who exhibit duplicity and passivity but also points to high-ranking anti-Xi forces who engage in cliques and subversion.
Several national-level officials who fell from grace after the 18th National Congress of the CCP, such as Zhou Yongkang and Guo Boxiong, were labeled as “two-faced individuals.” The recent downfall of military officials like He Weidong and Zhang Youxia further illustrates the crackdown on clique behavior within the party.
Xi’s speech also stressed that during the leadership transition, “two-faced individuals” should not be allowed to slip through the cracks. This indicates Xi’s political cleansing targeting disloyal officials and anti-Xi factions within the 21st Central Committee of the CCP, including members of the Politburo.
Days after Xi’s speech, on October 18, 2026, commentator Jiang Wang posted on X platform stating that Xi’s reference to “two-faced individuals” includes those who are loyal to both Xi Jinping and the Jiang Zemin family.
Prior to the publication of Xi’s speech, on October 13, 2026, former Mayor of Chongqing and influential Shanghai figure, 74-year-old Huang Qifan, was officially placed under investigation. Huang, associated with the Jiang Zemin family and many Shanghai tycoons, has connections with both Xi’s faction and the Shanghai clique, portraying characteristics of a “two-faced individual.”
Following Huang’s downfall, on October 14, 2026, Jiang Wang disclosed on X platform that current Politburo Standing Committee member and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Wang Huning, General Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Li Xi, and former Standing Committee member and current Vice President of the country, Han Zheng, were implicated in Huang Qifan’s case. All three were questioned by Liu Jinguo, Secretary of the Central Secretariat and Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Furthermore, among the members of the 20th Politburo of the CCP, several high-ranking officials such as He Weidong, Zhang Youxia, and Ma Xingrui have been ousted in the past year. Most of the remaining 14 members have ties to the Jiang faction.
It is evident from the list above that the Jiang faction, especially the Shanghai clique, and the so-called Xi faction are deeply intertwined. Xi Jinping is surrounded by individuals suspected of being “two-faced.”
Not only do many national-level officials at the level of the Politburo exhibit traits of “two-faced individuals,” but also officials at the provincial and ministerial levels have been exposed for behaviors contrary to Xi’s leadership. This is evident from recent reports by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
On October 19, 2026, Zhang Jianlong, former party member and Director of the National Forestry Bureau, was expelled from the CCP for not implementing the central party’s directives effectively.
Similarly, Wang Wenling, former party member and Deputy Chairman of the Social Security Fund, was expelled from the CCP and sacked from public office for privately reading politically sensitive material.
On October 14, 2026, Bao Hui, former party secretary and director of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, was expelled from the CCP for making decisions that resulted in significant financial risks against the Party’s central finance directive.
Furthermore, during an interview with “Understanding China” on October 19, 2026, legal scholar Yuan Hongbing, residing in Australia, expressed that Xi Jinping is surrounded by individuals with dual loyalties. He mentioned that the most significant crisis Xi faces is the growing resentment and even hatred towards him from ordinary people and officials at all levels of the CCP. Xi is currently relying on an enormous intelligence system to implement a form of governmental terrorism to maintain his personal absolute rule.
Yuan Hongbing also revealed during an interview on “Understanding China” on August 31, 2026, that there are officials within the CCP preparing to stop Xi Jinping from continuing his leadership at the 21st National Congress through various means. Reports from within the CCP indicate that there is a document circulating among party members discussing the coordination of internal factions to collectively oppose Xi’s leadership during the election at the 21st National Congress. This event has caused extreme fear for Xi Jinping.
Overall, the turbulent situation within the CCP, including the ongoing power struggles and purges, has put Xi Jinping in a precarious position. As the leadership transition approaches, uncertainties loom over the party, and the future brings the possibility of internal conflicts similar to past historic events.
Xi Jinping’s tenure since the 18th National Congress has witnessed intensified purges within the ranks of officials, leading to a precarious atmosphere within the party. Xi’s crackdown on the “cliques” and his growing mistrust towards those around him have created an environment of fear and uncertainty among officials at all levels.
The political maneuvers surrounding high-level appointments before the Fifth Plenum, Huang Qifan’s downfall, Xi’s denouncement of “two-faced individuals,” and the subsequent signals of a new political purge involving the Shanghai clique and the Jiang Zemin family suggest a potential escalation of the power struggle within the top echelons of the CCP.
As the 21st National Congress of the CCP approaches, the political game of chess and purges within the leadership ranks, mainly revolving around the Central Government and South China Sea high-ranking officials, could lead to sensitive and significant incidents.
(Originally published by Dajiyuan on October 21, 2026)