Following the Beidaihe Conference, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has been seen attending meetings continuously, while Xi Jinping and other members of the Standing Committee have yet to make appearances. Official propaganda about Xi has not stopped, but overseas rumors of his sudden illness are spreading like wildfire. Some scholars describe the situation in the Zhongnanhai area as a “quiet political coup.” Analysis suggests that under the opaque workings of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), it is difficult to confirm any changes in Zhongnanhai, but political rumors are swirling, reminiscent of the lead-up to historical changes in regime.
On August 18th, Premier Li Qiang presided over the ninth plenary session of the State Council. Official reports indicated that Li Qiang mentioned the “leadership of the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core.”
Earlier on August 15th, Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony and related symposium of the 2025 National Ecology Day in Beijing, emphasizing the need to implement the so-called “Xi Jinping Ecological Civilization Thought.”
According to information released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 1st, the press conference break was scheduled from August 4th to August 15th, with resumption on August 18th. It is speculated that this period coincided with the secretive Beidaihe Conference, where senior CCP officials and retired elders went on vacation to Beidaihe. Li Qiang’s reappearance indicates the conclusion of the Beidaihe Conference.
However, as of this Tuesday (August 19th), apart from Li Qiang, Xi Jinping and other Standing Committee members have yet to be seen.
Official media reports indicate that Xi Jinping’s most recent public appearance was on July 24th when he met with European leaders, documented with images. Following the Politburo meeting on July 30th, only textual reports were released. During the Beidaihe Conference in August, Xi Jinping made several “appearances” through written forms, such as phone calls with Russian President Putin on August 8th, conversations with Brazilian President on August 12th, and the signing of ambassadorial appointments on August 15th.
Throughout this period, the official propaganda surrounding Xi Jinping has remained unchanged. On August 17th, Xi Jinping’s “On Adherence to Comprehensive Deepening of Reform” volumes one and two were published. On August 18th, “Xi Jinping on Strong Military Affairs (Part Four)” was officially published and distributed. According to the official announcement, Xi Jinping is scheduled to appear at the Beijing military parade on September 3rd.
During Xi Jinping’s absence from the public eye, rumors of his ill health resurfaced overseas.
On August 16th, Shanghai entrepreneur Hu Liren, residing in the United States, revealed on his self-media platform “True China” that three top medical experts from Shanghai were urgently summoned to Beijing’s 301 Hospital the previous evening for a consultation with an “extremely sensitive” patient. Hu Liren pointed out that this patient was none other than Xi Jinping himself. He emphasized that such high-profile medical mobilization across provinces indicates this is not routine healthcare but an unexpected event capable of shaking the core of power.
However, this information has not been corroborated.
The CCP has announced the convening of the 20th Fourth Plenum in October this year. Australian-based scholar Yuan Hongbing recently disclosed to “Watching China” that Xi Jinping is seeking a fourth consecutive term at the 21st CCP National Congress in 2027. However, due to Xi Jinping’s absolute dictatorship, he does not allow other princelings and influential families to share the highest authority, leading to anger among the entire second-generation CCP members and extreme anxiety about the future of CCP rule. Currently, the entire second generation is gearing up to gather strength and attempt to prevent Xi Jinping from being re-elected at the 21st CCP National Congress. A power duel surrounding the 21st CCP National Congress is inevitable.
Independent scholar Wu Zuolai analyzed on his personal channel “Casual Talks in the Mountains” on August 15th, stating, “A military mutiny has occurred, and a silent political upheaval is unfolding.”
He indicated that after Xi Jinping was rumored to have suffered a stroke after the 2019 Third Plenum, the military essentially took over military authority, control over Beijing and the Zhongnanhai area. Security, information, and surveillance in Zhongnanhai are not managed by Xi Jinping but by Zhang Yuxia and the General Staff Department. Following the 2019 Third Plenum, a series of mutinies or quasi-mutinies occurred, which are still fermenting.
He analyzed that without the military emerging as an independent force, various significant changes would not have occurred over the past year. If the Party Central Committee remained as unified as it was a year ago under the control of Xi Jinping, there would not be such a plethora of rumors.
Wu Zuolai stated that the military’s force brought about the emergence of the elder power. Currently, there are three forces in Zhongnanhai: the power of the elders, Xi Jinping’s faction, and the military. These three forces have now reached a balance and no one has the upper hand.
After the Xi Jinping faction took full control following the 20th National Congress, a complex power struggle emerged within the CCP. A large number of current and retired military leaders were ousted. Xi’s confidant and Political Work Department Director of the Military Commission, Miao Hua, was investigated in November last year; since the Two Sessions this year, Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, He Wende, has been missing. Former Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, fell from grace, and reports emerged that Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Liaison Department, is also under investigation.
Senior contributor Kazu Shinzawa of Nikkei Asia previously wrote in early 2025 that with this year largely determining the next leadership lineup, potential political storms are likely to erupt in Beijing.
The Wall Street Journal reported on July 30th that elder figures within the CCP may be challenging Xi. While there is currently no concrete evidence, these rumors reflect the opacity of the CCP system under Xi Jinping’s rule and the populace’s desire for change.
Political commentator Li Linyi told Epoch Times that due to CCP’s opaque operations, it is currently challenging to confirm any mishaps in Zhongnanhai, but one cannot determine Xi’s status solely from surface propaganda. Rumors and speculations about political turmoil currently abound, resembling scenes right before the downfall of dynasties in history, which is not entirely surprising.