The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced that the 20th Central Committee’s Fourth Plenary Session will be held in late October, reigniting discussions about the future and ultimate fate of CCP’s power structure. There are varying perspectives within the anti-CCP camp regarding the changes in the highest echelons of power, but there is agreement when it comes to predicting the CCP’s downfall.
The Fourth Plenary Session of the CCP Central Committee is scheduled to take place in Beijing from October 20th to 23rd. Officially, the meeting will focus on discussions regarding the suggestions for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development.
Political commentator Tang Jingyuan suggested to Epoch Times that the “Five-Year Plan” might be a relatively minor issue at the Fourth Plenary Session, with the main focus potentially revolving around significant changes in the top leadership of the CCP, including the possibility of a transfer of the highest authority.
Despite Xi Jinping’s recent high-profile appearances, Tang believes that signs like Xi’s parades in Beijing, as well as his visits to Tibet and Xinjiang, indicate a trend where his status is being downgraded behind the scenes.
The question of whether Xi will relinquish some power, step back, or even step down during the 21st Party Congress continues to be a topic of discussion at the Fourth Plenary Session.
Dr. Qin Jin, the Chairman of the Democratic China Front, expressed to the Epoch Times that both domestically and overseas, many are hoping for Xi Jinping’s downfall, as the people are discontent with his governance. The widespread dissatisfaction indicates a desire for change in leadership.
Qin pointed out that if Xi does step down, it could lead to a shift within China, destabilizing his grip on the country and potentially opening the way for political reform.
The recent disappearance of General He Weidong and the rise of Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia in the military hierarchy have raised suspicions. The positioning of Zhang beside retired officials during a parade in Beijing on September 3 was considered an unusual arrangement.
Analysts such as Tang Jingyuan and Qin Jin suggest that Zhang Youxia’s prominence and the systematic removal of Xi Jinping’s loyalists from the military could signify a power struggle within the CCP.
Tang also highlighted the significance of the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session for determining the future power dynamics within the CCP, stressing that Xi Jinping’s fate could determine the survival or collapse of the entire regime.
Qin emphasized the need for political reform in China and implied that the downfall of the CCP is the ultimate solution to the country’s problems.
In hindsight, the interplay of political forces and power struggles within the CCP often leads to unpredictable outcomes, with historical events serving as a reminder of the secretive and complex nature of Chinese politics.
As discussions about Xi’s potential exit from power continue, analysts agree that the CCP’s internal dynamics and the country’s stability remain on a precarious equilibrium.
In conclusion, the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session looms large as a critical juncture that could either solidify Xi’s authority or set the stage for dramatic changes within the party and the nation as a whole. The broader implications of these political maneuvers could have far-reaching consequences for China’s future.