Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping wrote in the “Qiushi” magazine stating the need to maintain a high-pressure stance against corruption and emphasized the importance of keeping the “red regime unchanged.” Hong Kong media suggested that a “big tiger” is expected to surface this year. Analysts believe this “big tiger” may be Xi’s close ally Ma Xingrui, and there are still major events expected within Xi’s inner circle this year, as hinted by Xi’s speech revealing his concerns over the security of his regime.
In an article published in the first issue of the 2026 “Qiushi” magazine released on January 1 by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping’s speech at the closing session of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee was featured.
Xi claimed in his article, “We must always maintain a high-pressure stance against corruption, ensuring no pause, and no retreat.” He also called for strengthening ideological indoctrination within the entire party, stating, “to ensure the red regime never changes color,” and so forth.
Pro-Beijing Hong Kong newspaper, “Sing Tao Daily,” wrote on January 2 that Xi’s speech may signal continued vigorous anti-corruption efforts from Beijing this year, with the possibility of a “big tiger” emerging.
The article mentioned that after the cleansing of the military ranks, only a few top generals remain, suggesting that the peak of anti-corruption against senior officials may have passed. However, following the downfall of the “military tiger” He Weidong last year, with only 23 members left in the political bureau, it remains to be seen which “big tiger” will be targeted this year.
Official data showed that in the past year, 65 mid-level Chinese Communist Party officials (mostly at the provincial and ministerial levels) were investigated, surpassing the number in 2024. Notably, a group of senior officials, including former Political Bureau member and former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong, were also implicated.
Political commentator Li Linyi told a media outlet that the potential “big tiger” might refer to Politburo member Ma Xingrui. Many high-ranking officials who faced troubles in the past two years, especially those promoted by Xi such as He Weidong and Miao Hua, are considered part of Xi’s inner circle. Ma Xingrui, being closely associated with Xi and his family, might see more senior officials implicated, suggesting ongoing turmoil within Xi’s inner circle.
The Chinese authorities announced on July 1 last year that Chen Xiaojiang, the former Executive Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party, would replace Ma Xingrui as the Secretary of Xinjiang, with Ma Xingrui being reassigned. However, Ma Xingrui has yet to assume a new role and has been surrounded by negative rumors. He has been absent from key party meetings and events.
Media personality Jiang Wang speculated that Ma Xingrui might become the first major target in the Chinese Communist Party’s crackdown in the Year of the Horse (2026).
Xi Jinping’s mention of strengthening ideological indoctrination to ensure the red regime remains unchanged reveals his deep-seated fear of losing power. Li Linyi noted that Xi’s remarks reflect his greatest inner concerns about the survival of his regime. He is striving to preserve the party, but the challenges to his own authority are becoming increasingly apparent.
In the aforementioned speech, Xi mentioned that “the party’s self-revolution and economic and social development are closely connected and mutually promoting.” Hong Kong media believes this is a rebuttal to the argument that anti-corruption efforts negatively impact the economy.
Yuan Hongbing, a scholar familiar with the internal workings of the Chinese Communist Party, stated to “Seeing China” that Xi Jinping is now forced to conduct an internal self-revolution within his personally nurtured Xi clan, subjecting them to thorough scrutiny. The Beijing political arena is abuzz with discussions, with figures like Miao Hua and He Weidong facing allegations of disloyalty, causing extreme anxiety for Xi Jinping. The betrayal from those he promoted and trusted within his inner circle has left him deeply unsettled.
Yuan Hongbing mentioned that communist ideology has been thoroughly bankrupted in theory and practice. The majority of Chinese Communist Party officials no longer truly believe in communism. Corruption is rampant within the party, and under Xi Jinping’s flawed governance, the impending doom of the Chinese Communist Party is becoming a consensus among officials.
Independent commentator Du Zheng previously wrote that the Communist Party’s red dynasty has reached a state of decay, where “those with discerning eyes can see clearly that Xi, by promoting the ‘big tiger’ despite the risks, has lost all authority and is beyond redemption.”