The Chinese Communist Party recently held a symposium in Beijing to mark the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the “Anti-Secession Law.” Liu Zhenli, a member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Military Commission, attended the event on behalf of the CCP. However, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and key figure in CCP’s Taiwan military affairs, He Weidong, did not attend. Instead, Commander Lin Xiangyang of the Eastern Theater Command delivered a speech at the meeting. There have been widespread negative reports about the Chinese Communist Party’s military recently, with rumors circulating that both He Weidong and Lin Xiangyang have encountered issues.
According to Xinhua News Agency, on the 14th, the CCP authorities held a symposium in Beijing to mark the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the “Anti-Secession Law.” The highest-ranking military official present was Liu Zhenli, a member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Military Commission, with Commander of the Eastern Theater Command, Lin Xiangyang, speaking at the symposium.
During the symposium in May 2020 to mark the 15th anniversary of the implementation of the “Anti-Secession Law,” XU Qiliang, then Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended. Li Zuocheng, then Chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, spoke at the symposium.
Independent commentator Cai Shenkun stated in a video program on the 16th that the “Anti-Secession Law” falls under the political work of the military, especially regarding the CCP’s important affairs concerning Taiwan. He Weidong is in charge of military political work and had served extensively on the Taiwan front in Fujian Province, so he should theoretically have been present; yet, his rare absence was not explained by the authorities.
He Weidong’s most recent public appearance was on March 11 at the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress. Subsequently, rumors about He Weidong experiencing issues have circulated online.
He Weidong previously served as Chief of Staff of the 31st Group Army in Fujian in June 2007, Deputy Commander of the 31st Group Army in July 2008, and was promoted to the rank of Major General. In December 2019, he held the position of Commander of the Eastern Theater Command.
Current Commander of the Eastern Theater Command, Lin Xiangyang, also served for an extended period in the 31st Group Army and was a former subordinate of He Weidong. Previously, there were widespread rumors online about Lin Xiangyang being investigated or even committing suicide. His appearance at the symposium this time dispelled these rumors about him facing issues.