Former Vice Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party’s Military Commission, Xu Qiliang, was suddenly announced dead by the official authorities, sparking various speculations. Observers believe that Xu Qiliang, with his ties to Xi’s faction, may have fallen victim to two possible abnormal deaths, as the turmoil within the Chinese Communist Party’s military has severely weakened, potentially leading to political changes within the regime.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Xu Qiliang passed away due to illness at 12:12 pm on June 2 in Beijing at the age of 75. However, overseas social media users had leaked information on May 31 alleging that Xu Qiliang had passed away in the early hours of May 28, with rumors circulating internally that he had died from a “heart attack.”
After the official media reported Xu Qiliang’s death, Hong Kong media cited senior media figure Ma Ling in a social media post stating that Xu Qiliang suffered a sudden heart attack while exercising in the morning, was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but ultimately could not be saved.
Online rumors suggest various theories about Xu Qiliang’s death, including being a “non-natural death” or being “scared to death,” drawing comparisons to the late Premier Li Keqiang, whose sudden death in 2023 also raised suspicions related to internal power struggles within the Chinese Communist Party.
Taiwan’s National Defense Security Research Institute analyst Shen Mingshi told the media that Xu Qiliang’s sudden death from a heart attack is likely related to the military’s recent purge, rather than a result of routine morning exercise. The possibility of Xi Jinping orchestrating an assassination against him is also deemed less likely.
Shen Mingshi analyzed several possibilities: firstly, Xu Qiliang may have fallen victim to extreme fear amid the recent military purges, fearing he could be the next target. Despite his close ties to Xi Jinping and assisting in purging others, he might have feared retaliation, leading to a fatal heart attack.
The second potential cause of death could be attributed to Zhang Youxia, who currently holds military power. Xi Jinping, seeking to regain military control, may have used Xu Qiliang to recruit military personnel to counter, leading to a potential retaliation from Zhang Youxia or a preemptive action from him.
Shen Mingshi stated, “Xi Jinping couldn’t protect Miao Hua, He Weidong, and if the anti-Xi faction wanted to take action against Xu Qiliang, Xi Jinping wouldn’t be able to protect him either. Seeing the fate of Miao Hua and the others, Xu Qiliang would have undoubtedly felt immense pressure.”
He added, “We know that intelligence units can administer a drug that mimics a heart attack. Of course, this is only speculation.”
Shen Mingshi emphasized that under the opaque system of the Chinese Communist Party, conspiracy theories often turn out to be accurate in political judgments. Thus, Xu Qiliang’s death has stirred significant controversy.
Independent commentator Du Zheng, in an article on Taiwanese media, pointed out that Xu Qiliang’s death was leaked two days before the official announcement, occurring several days prior to the reported time. Being a prominent figure who retired just over two years ago, his sudden death raises suspicions. Despite being hailed as a “proletarian military strategist” officially, it does not rule out his potential involvement in controversies.
Xu Qiliang, a native of Shandong, rose through the ranks as a top pilot in the Air Force. He underwent education at the National Defense University thrice during Jiang Zemin’s era, serving as the Deputy Commander of the Shenyang Military Region in 1999 and Vice Chief of the General Staff and Air Force Commander during Hu Jintao’s tenure, eventually being promoted to Air Force General in June 2007. In November 2012, Xu Qiliang became the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and a member of the Politburo at the 18th National Congress. He was reappointed as Vice Chairman at the 19th National Congress until his retirement at the Two Sessions in March 2023.
Du Zheng suggests that Xu Qiliang’s ties primarily lie with Xi’s faction. A circulated photo from early 1991 purportedly showing Xi Jinping with Air Force officers deployed in Fujian places Xu Qiliang as the Commander of the Eighth Air Force on Xi’s right side. Xu Qiliang and another officer in the photo went on to serve as Air Force Commanders in 2007 and 2017, respectively.
Du Zheng contends that this photo affirms Xu Qiliang’s early association with Xi, indicating a longstanding relationship that began in Fujian. In the hierarchical nature of the Chinese Communist Party, initial affiliations carry significant weight, akin to how Wang Huning, the “Three-Term National Scholar,” was favored by Jiang Zemin and Zeng Qinghong. Notably, Xi Jinping’s preference for known associates has led to the formation of his inner circle, with Xu Qiliang being one of them aligning with Xi after his ascension.
On the photo showing Xu Qiliang’s early connection with Xi in Fujian, Shen Mingshi unequivocally believes Xu Qiliang was associated with Xi. He pointed out that during the military reform in 2015 led by Xi Jinping, Xu Qiliang served as Vice Chairman, whereas Fan Changlong, who comes from an army background, disagreed with Xi. Shen Mingshi highlighted that Xu Qiliang, as an Air Force officer, oversaw the elimination of many army units during the reform, leading to resentment among some army personnel.
In his article, Du Zheng concludes that following the upheavals in the Chinese Communist Party’s military leadership over the past two years, with Xi Jinping purging his close generals, including Miao Hua, who vanished, and rumored to have targeted several Eastern Theater commanders from Fujian and the eastern region, the situation points to internal power struggles and severe infighting within the Chinese military.
Du Zheng argues that if Xu Qiliang was indeed “scared to death,” it likely stemmed from the pervasive corruption and factional issues within the military, potentially orchestrated by Zhang Youxia, who currently wields military authority, and Zhang Shengmin, the military discipline commission secretary. The collapse of Xi Jinping’s inner circle suggests that the Chinese military has been significantly weakened amid the power struggles.
The article states that within the Chinese military, there is a pervasive fear among members, cautioning Taiwan’s military and civilians not to waver in the face of China’s psychological and military pressure but to remain vigilant.
Du Zheng notes that the current political landscape in China is enigmatic, with the regime seemingly stable outwardly but facing internal turbulence, growing discontent among the populace and officials. The external observers should closely monitor the potential for abrupt changes within the Chinese political sphere in the near future!