Recently, there have been various rumors circulating regarding Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping and top-level personnel. Renowned Hong Kong media figure Cheng Xiang, in an interview with Epoch Times, pointed out that rumors in Beijing have been rampant, all of which are unfavorable to Xi Jinping. There have been rumors about Xi being ill or having a stroke, but they cannot be confirmed. Subsequently, there were rumors that he was using a body double to attend public events… Cheng believes that various signs indicate that the top echelons in Beijing may be experiencing instability, but no one knows exactly what is happening. There have been claims of Xi being ill, facing internal power struggles, or even a possible coup; however, even if Xi were to step down within the CCP system, it does not mean that China would be saved. Cheng also analyzed how this could lead to personnel changes within the Hong Kong government.
Cheng cited mainland Chinese opinions that the Chinese people, from personal experience, understand that what the CCP calls “rumors” are actually “predictions ahead of time.” If it’s not factual, it is still information that outsiders can see the complexity of power struggles in the CCP leadership, as well as the populace’s enthusiasm in spreading rumors reflecting changes in public sentiment.
If Xi were to eventually step down, Cheng believes, “there is no need to be too happy, and one must not be deceived by the illusion of CCP political operations,” because whoever comes next will not be better. He explained that the CCP operates through a mechanism of “reverse elimination,” where “good people are eliminated, and bad people rise up.” As long as the CCP system remains unchanged, “no matter who comes to power, it will not yield good results,” and the Chinese people will continue to suffer under CCP repression. Just because “one person steps down, it does not mean China is saved.”
He analyzed that if Xi Jinping were to step down, officials throughout China, including those in Hong Kong such as the State Council, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Liaison Office, and even the Hong Kong government itself would require restructuring. Cheng pointed out that during the British colonial period, the Hong Kong government acted as a “firewall” protecting the city from mainland political influence, but now, political turmoil in mainland China, including personnel changes, will undoubtedly affect Hong Kong, leading to changes in personnel within the Hong Kong government.
Cheng stated, “rumors are just rumors,” and observed the official stance in mainland China, such as the People’s Daily toning down its propaganda regarding Xi Jinping, rarely mentioning his name or terms associated with him. Despite the CCP’s second-in-command in the military, Zhang Youxia, praising Xi Jinping, Cheng believes that the People’s Daily’s actions are worth studying.
On another front, advertisements at military retiree centers in China depicted Xi’s portrait alongside slogans like “Follow the Party’s command, win battles. Uphold good conduct,” but recently, Xi’s image has disappeared from the billboards while the slogans remain.
Reflecting on historical events, Cheng recalled an incident in 1971 involving Lin Biao, where when someone close to him was tasked with drawing propaganda paintings, only Chairman Mao Zedong was to be depicted, signaling something might be amiss with Lin. Cheng believes that if Xi’s image disappearing from propaganda is indeed a signal of something concerning his status.
There have also been rumors suggesting that Hu Chunhua may make a return. Cheng analyzed the source of this rumor, tracing it back to a meeting during the Third Plenum when journalists photographed Xi and Hu Chunhua attending a small group discussion together. He considered this a significant political signal, as during the 19th Party Congress, Hu Chunhua did not advance to the Political Bureau Standing Committee. At the closing ceremony of the 19th Party Congress, when Hu Jintao was escorted away from the Great Hall of the People, he patted Li Keqiang on the shoulder, while Hu Chunhua remained expressionless and unresponsive.
Cheng pointed out that during the 19th Party Congress, Xi Jinping removed Hu Jintao and his faction, and with Xi and Hu Chunhua sitting side by side during the Third Plenum, speculation arose whether Xi had no choice but to allow Hu Chunhua to make a comeback.
Quoting online sources, Cheng noted rumors that Hu Chunhua had laid out conditions within the party for his comeback, including implementing democratic centralism; completely denouncing the Cultural Revolution; readdressing any wrongful cases since Xi took office; all corrupt officials must confess to the organization without facing any consequences; and second-generation Party members would only be allowed to retain ownership of one company or enterprise, with a five-year deadline for clearing them out.
Cheng viewed these conditions as reflecting a continuation of the CCP’s system without showing a determination for fundamental reform.
Furthermore, the latest rumor involves “military second-generation” Yang Xiaoping claiming that “this month, there will be news more explosive than the Olympics, surpassing the Russia-Ukraine war, the conflicts in Syria and Libya, and the situation in Venezuela and Bangladesh, signaling a truly unprecedented century-long upheaval,” and urging everyone to “await the thunderclap!” Yang Xiaoping is the son of Yang Yong, a former general and commander of the Beijing Military Region.
Yang Xiaoping has been found to support democratic reforms, calling for the overthrow of authoritarianism and welcoming democratic constitutionalism, dispelling the notion of uniformity among the second-generation party members, who also include many democratic and liberal individuals with universal values.
Cheng analyzed that the explosive news Yang Xiaoping mentioned is worth further observation.