On November 4, 2026, the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) officially revoked the membership of four individuals from this body, including Wang Tongzhou, the former Party Secretary and Chairman of China Communications Construction Group. This decision confirmed earlier rumors regarding Wang’s fall from grace.
Wang Tongzhou was dismissed from his positions as Chairman and General Manager of the China Communications Construction Group on June 26, 2025. Observers noted that the announcement regarding his departure notably lacked the customary expressions of gratitude for his contributions to the company, raising suspicion about the circumstances surrounding his exit. On the same day, mainland media outlet “China Real Estate News” reported that Wang had been taken away for questioning.
Born in December 1965 in Lüliang, Shanxi Province, Wang Tongzhou has held various high-ranking positions in several state-owned enterprises since 1991. His career path included roles such as Vice General Manager of China Construction Hainan Development Company, Deputy General Manager and General Manager of China Construction Industry Company, and General Manager of the Sixth Engineering Bureau of China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
Wang’s career reached a peak when he was appointed as the General Manager of China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, a position he held from September 2012 until June 2018. During his tenure, he advanced to become the Deputy Secretary of the group’s Party Committee in July 2017. This organization is reputed to be linked to Xi Yuanping, the younger brother of President Xi Jinping, within the energy conservation and environmental protection sector.
Throughout Wang’s leadership at China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, allegations emerged suggesting that he acted as a proxy for Xi Yuanping, indicating a potential intertwining of interests. The internal disputes within the Communist Party regarding their relationship have been a topic of speculation.
Since Xi Jinping assumed significant roles in the Party and the state, he has emphasized the importance of green development during both international visits and domestic research initiatives. His administration has integrated ecological civilization construction into the broader framework of socialist initiatives with Chinese characteristics. In June 2014, he introduced the “energy revolution” strategy, advocating for efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Simultaneously, Xi Yuanping launched the International Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Association in November 2007 and served as its founding president. This organization, based in Beijing, was later restructured and renamed the International Ecological Economy Association in 2014.
Notably, the connections between Wang Tongzhou and Xi Yuanping’s association were carefully scrutinized, especially during events such as the China International Climate Change Forum held in Beijing in late October 2011. Reports indicate that the association sought to engage state-owned enterprises, particularly those in high-energy consumption sectors, in dialogues aimed at reducing carbon footprints.
On the official website of China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, the International Ecological Economy Association is acknowledged as one of its industry-related partners, affirming their collaborative relationship.
China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, established in 1988 with government funding, operates extensively in developing energy-saving technologies, promoting urban environmental infrastructure, and facilitating clean technology and renewable energy initiatives. It remains one of China’s largest investment groups in the environmental sector.
While Wang Tongzhou served as General Manager during the leadership of Wang Xiaokang, there were also significant developments with other parties involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. In 2016, major stakeholders, including prominent figures in the Belt and Road Business Association, visited China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group to strengthen ties and collaborate on their initiatives.
It is noteworthy that extensive networks of relationships have developed between various entities, revealing deep-rooted connections between the Xi family and the environmental protection industry.
Alongside Wang Tongzhou, another individual who had their status within the CPPCC revoked on November 4 is Yu Yanhong, a member of the Party Group of the National Health Commission and Secretary of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Yu reportedly has close ties with Zeng Yixin, referred to as Xi Jinping’s personal physician.
In the context of a power struggle within the Communist Party, particularly following the Third Plenary Session in July 2024, it has been reported that Xi Jinping’s allies, particularly from the Fujian and Shandong factions, are facing significant scrutiny and purges. The recent events surrounding the Central Committee’s Fifth Plenary Session have raised alarms about Xi’s authority and the internal dynamics of the Party, with speculation that his political crisis may be more profound than previously thought.
The revocation of Wang Tongzhou and Yu Yanhong’s official positions serves as a stark reminder of the intense factional conflicts taking place within the upper echelons of the Communist Party and the potential implications for Xi Jinping’s administration and its future stability amidst growing pressures.