The Chinese Communist Party’s “Eleventh” reception was held in Beijing yesterday (September 30). Many current and former high-ranking officials, including Ma Xingrui, Wang Xiaohong, and Fan Changlong, who have been associated with negative rumors, were present.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the “Eleventh” reception was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the evening of the 30th. CCP leader Xi Jinping attended and delivered a speech, with Li Qiang presiding over the reception. CCP Political Bureau members Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Vice President Han Zheng, as well as CCP Political Bureau members in Beijing, Central Secretaries, Central Military Commission members, and former Central Military Commission members attended the reception.
Footage from CCTV News showed that among the 24 members of the CCP Political Bureau, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, He Weidong, who had been “missing” for half a year, was still absent.
Most of the CCP high officials at the meeting had no expression on their faces and lacked smiles, some looking down at things.
Former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Fan Changlong, who was reportedly arrested overseas in August, appeared at the reception, sitting at the same table as former Vice Premier Liu He.
On August 26, news circulated on overseas social media about Fan Changlong being “arrested again”. The whistleblower claimed it might be related to the incidents involving former Central Military Commission member Miao Hua and Vice Chairman of the Military Commission He Weidong.
On August 27, overseas commentator Cai Shunkun revealed that Fan Changlong was arrested just before the CCP’s high-level vacation in Beidaihe earlier this year. The head of the CCP Military Discipline Commission brought a large number of plainclothes personnel and discreetly arrived at Fan Changlong’s residence at night, displaying investigation orders from the Central Military Commission and Military Discipline Commission. Fan Changlong then calmly followed the investigation personnel out, seemingly anticipating the situation.
The whistleblower stated that Fan Changlong was detained in a closed building, with no contact except for water delivery. After enduring this solitary confinement for more than ten days that led to mental torment, Fan Changlong broke down and began requesting paper and pen to confess. Initially, he only disclosed some information about former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xu Caihou, but unable to pass, he continued to disclose others, including the commander of the CCP’s 50th anniversary parade and former commander of the Beijing Military Region, Li Xinliang.
Back in 2018, Hong Kong media previously reported on Fan Changlong being investigated. However, the CCP military later came out to “refute rumors,” indicating he had “landed safely”.
In February 2024, a video emerged online showing Fan Changlong speaking at a class reunion in his hometown of Dandong, Liaoning Province. In the video, Fan Changlong voluntarily talked about his retired life, including participating in some official activities and being “requested for opinions” by senior officials. Fan Changlong also mentioned, “Now the central department regulations stipulate that my time away from Beijing cannot exceed one and a half months.”
Former Vice Premier Liu He, who appeared at the reception at the same table as Fan Changlong, has also faced negative news this year.
On April 6, the UK’s Financial Times cited information from multiple sources, revealing that the CCP authorities are investigating Liu Tianran, the son of former Vice Premier Liu He, in relation to financial corruption.
Former Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui also made an appearance. On July 1, the CCP officially announced that Ma Xingrui had been removed from the position of Xinjiang Party Secretary, with a “new appointment”. However, as his term had not ended, public opinion believed his career had reached its end.
Regarding the reasons for Ma Xingrui’s fall from power, there are currently four explanations: one is related to issues in Guangdong, involving the Evergrande boss Xu Jiayin case; second is corruption issues in Xinjiang; third is influenced by corruption cases in the aerospace technology group where he previously worked; fourth is corruption issues within his family. There are leaks indicating that he is cooperating with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in the investigation of his wife.
Additionally, among the high officials attending the reception, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong was previously rumored to have suffered from throat cancer. Another figure present, former Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission Meng Jianzhu, has long been plagued by scandals, with his former deputy Liu Yuejin sentenced to death with a reprieve in June this year.