The upcoming Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on October 20 has attracted attention as internal power struggles escalate. According to official reports on October 16, Wang Chunning, the former commander of the People’s Armed Police, and three other senior officers were removed from their positions as delegates to the National People’s Congress for “suspected serious violations of discipline and laws.” Analysts believe that their removal is an early prelude to the power struggles within the CCP leading up to the Fourth Plenary Session.
As disclosed in the announcement of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on October 5, Zhang Lin, Gao Daguang, Wang Zhibin, and Wang Chunning were removed from their positions as delegates to the 14th National People’s Congress due to “suspected serious violations of discipline and laws.”
On September 12, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the CCP announced the removal of a group of delegates, including General Wang Chunning, Lieutenant General Zhang Lin, Lieutenant General Gao Daguang, and Lieutenant General Wang Zhibin.
Official information reveals that Wang Chunning was removed from his position as a delegate by the People’s Armed Police during a military representatives’ conference on July 25, 2025; Zhang Lin and Gao Daguang were removed from their positions by the Central Military Commission Logistics Support Department during a military representatives’ conference on July 21, 2025; and Wang Zhibin was removed from his position by the Army during a military representatives’ conference on July 18, 2025.
Wang Chunning was rumored to have fallen from grace at the end of last year for missing important occasions. His recent reported involvement in “suspected serious violations of discipline and laws” confirms his downfall and impending legal consequences.
Political commentator Li Lin Yi told Da Ji Yuan that the removal of Wang Chunning and the others is just an early warning sign of the internal power struggles within the CCP ahead of the Fourth Plenary Session. It is rumored that during the session, several Central Committee members, including Miao Hua, Wang Chunning, and Zhang Lin, will face consequences, although it remains uncertain whether the disappearance of Deputy Chairman of the Military Commission, He Weidong, for several months will be addressed. This decision could impact the stability of Xi Jinping’s leadership and the morale of the military.
Former official of the Discipline Inspection Commission, Wang Youqun, wrote an article on Da Ji Yuan on October 15, analyzing the prolonged silence on the He Weidong case. He stated that the delays were due to the sensitive nature of the issues involved and the potential for backlash against Xi Jinping, as well as concerns over a possible rebellion by military personnel and the public.
Wang Youqun further explained that if He Weidong and Miao Hua were implicated in plotting a coup, the CCP authorities would be cautious about jeopardizing “political security” and delay any public announcements.
The Fourth Plenary Session of the CCP is scheduled for October 20. While officials claim it will focus on the “14th Five-Year Plan,” observers are closely watching for high-level personnel adjustments. With the collapse of the personnel structure put in place by Xi Jinping after the 19th National Congress, many senior officials in the party, government, and military have fallen from grace. Reports indicate that at least nine Central Committee members are set to be replaced, leading to the largest personnel reshuffle since 2017.
Veteran commentator Hong Yaonan recently highlighted the unprecedented “dual disruption” in the political and military core of the CCP, severely hampering the power structure of the Military Commission. Following the downfall of Miao Hua, the crucial position of “Director of Political Work Department” within the military has remained vacant for an extended period, indicating a loss of essential political leadership in the CCP’s armed forces. Deputy Chairman of the Military Commission, He Weidong, disappeared from public view since March 2025, leaving Lieutenant General Zhang Yuxia to single-handedly manage the situation, creating a seemingly stable but internally unstable power structure.
Independent analyst Du Zheng has compiled data showcasing that at least 46 individuals promoted by Xi Jinping to Central Committee and Alternate Central Committee positions since the 19th National Congress have encountered issues. However, only 19 of them have been officially announced to have fallen from grace, with most cases remaining undisclosed. This trend of those handpicked by Xi Jinping facing repercussions has significantly undermined his authority.