After a political bureau meeting on July 30, the seven standing committee members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) disappeared after retreating to “vacation” in Beidaihe and have not appeared since. During this period, rumors about the instability of the CCP regime and Xi Jinping’s own health issues have been circulating. On August 15, state media published an article under Xi’s name emphasizing support from elderly political figures within the party. The same day, there were reports that the elderly politicians had provided Xi with 30 suggestions, including disbanding the Public Security Bureau Security Bureau.
Until August 16, members of the CCP Political Bureau Liu Guozhong and Wang Yi have appeared, indicating the end of the Beidaihe meeting, but all seven standing committee members have yet to surface. On August 14, Xinhua reported that Xi Jinping replied to environmental volunteers in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area, Hubei Province on the 13th, and on the 15th, he exchanged congratulations with Brazilian President Lula on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Central News Agency pointed out that this was Xi Jinping’s indirect way of showing his presence.
Regarding the rumors about Xi Jinping’s health, while some believe it to be unreliable, others think there might be some truth to the speculations, making it uncertain when Xi will reappear. The CCP Foreign Ministry confirmed on the afternoon of the 15th that the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the President of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, will visit Beijing on the 18th. It is expected that Xi will make an appearance and meet with Trong.
It is worth noting that the party’s official “Seeking Truth” website published on August 15 an exposition on how the “Decision” was introduced at the Third Plenary Session, with hints that Xi had obtained support from elderly party members. The article mentioned, “On May 7, 2024, the draft of the ‘Decision’ was circulated within the party for feedback from elderly comrades… Everyone unanimously agreed that maintaining the correct political orientation in the draft of the ‘Decision’…”
Radio Free Asia cited the words of Australian commentator Huang Fujing, stating that Xi Jinping’s signed article about the introduction of the Decision at the Third Plenary Session being approved by elderly party cadres indicates that within the CCP, they remain a vested interest group, and no one dares to challenge Xi Jinping’s ruling position.
Chen Weijian, editor-in-chief of “Beijing Spring” in New Zealand, pointed out that Xi Jinping has frequently played the hiding game in the past, and amidst significant rumors, he has always reappeared unscathed, suggesting that Xi Jinping might be using this tactic to test the loyalty of party members.
Taiwanese motivational speaker and CEO of the Taiwan Inspirational Association, Lai Rongwei, previously mentioned to Epoch Times, commenting on Xi Jinping’s recent challenges and how they may be distracting him from other issues. Overseas commentator Cai Shenkun expressed on X on the 15th that Xi Jinping’s governing capabilities have been widely questioned both inside and outside the CCP, and as soon as the elderly politicians have the opportunity to speak, they will express their views in different ways.
It was revealed that the elderly politicians had proposed about 30 suggestions, including recommending the restoration of collective decision-making systems; having leaders with a deep understanding of economics and long-term experience in provincial and municipal party and government organizations; and promoting a more diverse selection and appointment process for cadres, eliminating the formation of small cliques, among other things. One crucial point was that they strongly disapproved of the choice of the head of the Public Security Bureau Security Bureau, suggesting the disbandment of the bureau. In other words, they were highly dissatisfied with Wang Xiaohong’s Public Security Bureau Security Bureau.
The information disclosed in the aforementioned article could not be verified. Previously, various opinions suggested that the elderly politicians were no longer influential during Xi’s third term.
However, during the Beidaihe meeting, retired professor at Renmin University, Leng Jifu, issued an open letter calling for the CCP to take the initiative to exit the stage and establish a democratic constitutional Republic of China. Leng Jifu stated that he learned via WeChat that Xi Jinping was seriously ill and unable to work, leaving the entire party and military operations in the hands of the two Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Yuxia and He Weidong, and as a result, he hoped to gain their support.
Epoch Times has already contacted Leng Jifu to verify that the letter was written by him, and since the letter was sent, there has been no official harassment from the CCP authorities up to now (16th).
These recent events have prompted speculation and analysis from different perspectives around the world, signaling a potential shift in the internal dynamics of the CCP, although the exact nature of these developments remains to be fully understood as the situation continues to evolve.