The 4th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) yesterday (23rd) confirmed the expulsion of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others from the CCP. Today, the military media published an article discussing anti-corruption efforts in the army, stating that it has “eliminated significant political risks.” Experts point out that this is Xi Jinping’s attempt to shift blame and cover up the culpability in these corruption cases, but it only serves to highlight the truth.
The CCP’s military newspaper published an editorial on Friday (October 24), claiming that the investigation of cases involving He Weidong and Miao Hua demonstrates that there should be no haven for corrupt individuals in the military. The article stressed that the vigorous investigation of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others has “effectively eliminated significant political risks.”
The public statement from the 4th Plenary Session yesterday confirmed the expulsion of Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong and other senior military leaders from the Party. Prior to the plenary session on October 17, the authorities had announced the downfall of 9 senior generals, including He Weidong, Miao Hua, and Lin Xiangyang.
Su Zi Yun, Director of Strategy and Resources at the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies, stated to Epoch Times that this is an attempt to shift blame for Xi Jinping, but it appears more as a propaganda rhetoric rather than a genuine realization within the military. It is likely that there was political pressure forcing the publication of such editorial comments.
Su Zi Yun mentioned that the disgraced generals belonged to Xi’s faction, known as the “Shaanxi Group,” while the new Military Commission is referred to as the “Shaan Group,” with Xi Jinping and two deputy chairmen all hailing from Shaanxi. Meanwhile, He Weidong, Miao Hua, and Lin Xiangyang, were associated with the “Fujian Group,” indicating possible factional struggles. The editorial from the military newspaper using anti-corruption to mask political struggles is empty rhetoric and only serves to reveal the true intentions.
Regarding the claim by the military newspaper of eliminating significant political risks, Su Zi Yun explained that this is an inadvertent revelation of the truth and illustrates that the anti-corruption narrative is just a smokescreen. There might be unpredictable variables as Xi Jinping aims to dominate for a fourth term post the 4th Plenary Session, despite a turbulent undercurrent.
Researcher Shen Ming Shi from the Taiwan Institute for National Defense and Security Studies also told Epoch Times that the military media’s report is an attempt to shift blame, portraying anti-corruption efforts as led by Xi Jinping in order to whitewash any false allegations of poor judgment or promotion of corrupt officials due to illness. Xi is currently succeeding in deflecting blame but cutting ties with these corrupt generals.
Shen Ming Shi stated that in reality, the capture of individuals like He Weidong was likely orchestrated by Zhang Shengmin or Zhang Youxia, but the military newspaper’s editorial attributes all credit for purging the nine senior generals to Xi Jinping. Despite Xi Jinping’s efforts to cleanse his image, it remains challenging to distance himself from the objective fact of promoting Miao Hua and He Weidong, who led corrupt activities.
The Deputy Chairman of the Central Military Commission who was removed, He Weidong, former Central Military Commission member and Director of the Political Work Department Miao Hua, as well as the former Commander of the Eastern Theater Command Lin Xiangyang, were considered the core figures of the so-called “Taiwanese Faction” or “Fujian Faction,” which played a significant role in shaping the strategies towards Taiwan.
The “Fujian Group,” also known as the “Min River New Army,” refers to a group of military personnel with deep ties to Fujian Province. This region not only serves as a frontline in dealing with the Taiwan Strait but is also crucial in Xi Jinping’s political career. However, with the recent purge of its key members, the actual influence of the Fujian Group within the CCP military has essentially disappeared.
Su Zi Yun noted that with the complete dismantling of the Fujian Group, Xi Jinping will lack familiar individuals to handle Taiwan-related matters efficiently.
According to the public statement from the 4th Plenary Session, Central Military Commission member and Secretary of the Central Military Commission Discipline Inspection Commission, Zhang Shengmin was promoted to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, being the only senior military leader promoted at the 4th Plenary Session, while remaining as the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.
Shen Ming Shi remarked that the personnel arrangements at the recent 4th Plenary Session were incomplete, with only one promotion of Zhang Shengmin to Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, leaving several vacancies unfilled. This cautious approach is likely due to ongoing corruption investigations, as appointing senior officers may lead to further cases. This could result in prolonged vacancies in key positions, affecting the morale of the military, including in the Eastern Theater Command.