Amidst a major purge within the Chinese Communist Party’s military ranks, the sudden death of former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CCP, Xu Qiliang, has sparked discussions regarding the cause of his death and his factional background.
According to reports from the official Chinese state media Xinhua, Xu Qiliang passed away at the age of 75 on June 2, 2025, at 12:12 pm in Beijing due to illness.
Xu Qiliang, who appeared in good spirits during the New Year’s reception held by the CCP Central Committee and State Council on January 27, made his final public appearance on that occasion.
Reports from Hong Kong’s Sing Tao Daily on June 3 cited Beijing veteran media figure Ma Ling’s revelation on social media that Xu Qiliang suffered a sudden heart attack while exercising in the courtyard early in the morning, which led to his death despite rescue efforts at the hospital.
Former People’s Liberation Army Navy Colonel Yao Cheng analyzed Xu Qiliang’s cause of death on June 3, suggesting that as a former pilot with excellent physical condition and access to top-class medical care, it is suspicious that he would suddenly pass away at the age of 75. Yao Cheng raised speculations that Xu may have been deliberately targeted during his stay at the hospital.
Independent commentator Cai Shenkun expressed the likelihood of Xu Qiliang’s death being intentional, dismissing rumors of him being scared to death due to his seniority in the military.
Cai Shenkun noted Xu’s close ties with former CCP leader Jiang Zemin, his promotion during Hu Jintao’s tenure, and his significant role under Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign within the military. Xu promoted many military officials who have subsequently been arrested in the ongoing purge, indicating intense power struggles within the CCP.
Commentator Li Yanming suggested a possible connection between Xu Qiliang’s sudden death and Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power, as Xu was a key figure in Xi’s military reforms and subsequent purges within the military.
Public records show that Xu Qiliang, born in 1950 in Shandong, was a highly decorated pilot who rose through the ranks in the Air Force. He played pivotal roles in military restructuring during Hu Jintao’s presidency and was influential in Xi Jinping’s military reforms until his retirement after the 20th CCP National Congress in 2022.
Recent reports from authoritative sources suggest that despite Xi Jinping’s outward appearance of authority, influential figures like senior CCP member Wen Jiabao and Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, now hold sway over China’s political landscape.