On September 3rd, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a military parade in Beijing. There were observations that Xi Jinping’s status at the parade has been downgraded due to the reduction in the overall command. The seating arrangement of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, placed him last among the national-level leaders, indicating both a rise in status but also raising suspicions of signaling his withdrawal to the sidelines.
The live broadcast by the CCP Central Television showed 15 retired high-level CCP officials such as Li Ruichang, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zeng Qinghong, and Wang Qishan appearing at the Tiananmen Gate. However, retired members Hu Jintao, Zhu Rongji, and Song Ping did not show up.
Zhang Youxia was shown standing alongside current national-level leaders but behind the retired national-level leaders in the live broadcast. Over the past year, there have been rumors circulating overseas about Zhang Youxia holding sole military power and a changing relationship with Xi Jinping, making him a figure of special attention at this parade.
Commentator Li Dayu mentioned on his social media program that traditionally, the highest-ranking leader of the CCP should be in the center at such events, with the current Vice Chairman of the Military Commission also positioned closer to the central area near the top leader, which was not the case for Zhang Youxia.
Li Dayu analyzed that Zhang Youxia deliberately chose to remain low-profile. Another Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, He Weidong, continued to be “missing,” likely arrested post the two sessions earlier this year, with some rumors even suggesting unfortunate circumstances. If Zhang Youxia’s low-profile appearance is not intentional and he is indeed marginalized in power struggles, then it should have been He Weidong who was previously targeted instead of him. The recent incidents within the military have mostly involved individuals from Xi Jinping’s camp rather than Zhang Youxia’s faction, making his discreet seating likely a strategic move to downplay his perceived authority.
According to Li Dayu, in the customary international relations and throughout most of Chinese history, the quote “right is honorable” holds significant meaning. Zhang Youxia positioned at the far right of the Tiananmen Gate seems to showcase an extraordinary status, especially considering his proximity to the reformist faction led by Jiang. This combination raises suspicions that Zhang may be there to “supervise and monitor” them.
Zhang Youxia, a member of the CCP Political Bureau and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, holds a deputy national-level position and, according to CCP regulations, is not entitled to stand alongside the national-level elders.
In a media program, Chinese-American scholar Wu Zuolai mentioned that Zhang Youxia standing among national-level leaders signifies his elevated status approaching a quasi-national-level treatment, displaying a sense of satisfaction, signaling a result of his power play with Xi Jinping proving that neither has lost yet and the ultimate winner will be revealed at the 21st Party Congress. This mediation between the two is credited to the involvement and compromise by the CCP elders.
Regarding Zhang Youxia’s placement on the observation platform at the Beijing parade, discussions on various platforms have arisen:
– “Official Observation Studio Zhao Ming” mentioned that the most striking figure at the September 3rd CCP parade was Zhang Youxia, the only current Political Bureau member standing alongside the national-level elders of the “Party Central Decision-Making and Coordination Mechanism,” positioned between Zhang Gaoli and Wang Qishan.
– “Fumeng Xiong” noted, “Zhang Youxia’s position has risen, being the only Bureau member aligned with (retired) members of the Standing Committee.”
– China’s financial influencer “Asian Finance” pointed out that one of the highlights of the September 3rd parade was Vice-national level leader Zhang Youxia standing shoulder to shoulder with national-level leaders, despite being a CCP Political Bureau member and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and not a Political Bureau Standing Committee member (national level).
– “Chen Dayu” remarked, “He squeezed into the national-level frame! Zhang Youxia was originally just a Political Bureau member, a deputy national level, should have been seated downstairs. But now he is lined up with retired Standing Committee members, who are national-level, standing at the Tiananmen Gate, indicating a significant promotion in his status.”
However, “Louis Chongzhen” countered, “Zhang Youxia stepping back, with the Central Theater Command former Air Force General Wang Qiang falling from grace, letting his subordinate Air Force Major General Han Shengyan take the place as the parade’s overall commander. Xi Jinping still seems to lack control over the military. Stay tuned for more drama.”
On September 3rd, the Central Theater Command Air Force Commander Major General Han Shengyan assumed the role of overall parade commander. As per tradition, the parade’s overall commander is typically the Beijing Military Region Commander (now the Central Theater Command Commander). This year, the role was expected to be handled by Central Theater Command Commander Wang Qiang.
Chinese political analyst Tang Jingyuan, previously informed the Epoch Times that Central Theater Command Commander Wang Qiang was abruptly promoted by Xi Jinping before the 20th Congress, receiving a promotion to generalship solo, making him a typical Xi family army member. Wang Qiang and the political commissar of the Central Theater Command were absent from the August 1st National Defense Department’s reception, with the parade’s overall commander initially being Wang Qiang, now replaced by Central Theater Command Air Force Commander Han Shengyan, indicating Wang Qiang’s possible detention. The demotion of the parade’s overall commander also implies a downgrade in Xi Jinping’s parade stature.
Former Chinese Navy Colonel Yao Cheng commented on his social media program that the parade’s overall commander was announced at the last moment, with Air Force Commander Han Shengyan from the Central Theater Command stepping up, indicating no other suitable candidates were available. The fact that someone from the Central Theater Command was appointed, downgrading the commander role, is seen as a public insult to Xi Jinping.