After Xi Jinping’s third re-election as the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, despite his loyalists holding positions in high levels, there have been recent rumors of a push to oust Xi. The authorities have also declared a need to “eliminate internal traitors.” Analysts assessing the potential for a political upheaval within the CCP believe that although the Xi regime can maintain tight control over the political landscape, Xi himself is particularly fearful of assassination and has fallen into a predicament common among dictators.
Former Chinese Navy Colonel Staff Officer Yao Cheng stated on May 3 on the social media platform X that various rumors within the military have been circulating prior to the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CCP Central Committee. The focus has been dissatisfaction with the placement of individuals lacking military knowledge and skills – who engage in flattery – in key military positions. Capable and knowledgeable military officers have reportedly felt sidelined and have been submitting requests for career transitions.
Yao Cheng mentioned the possibility that some high-ranking or retired generals disgruntled with Xi Jinping might be exerting pressure on the Third Plenary Session.
Chairman of the National Committee of the China Democracy Party and political scholar residing in the United States, Wang Juntao, told Epoch Times on May 11 that the high-ranking officials surrounding the military are all Xi Jinping’s spies. “Their bodyguards, drivers, secretaries, and even the personnel in charge of their maintenance are all spies. Cadres above the military rank in the Communist Party have no freedom; they have to use special vehicles when going out, or they must report, and they need central military commission approval.”
Wang Juntao also revealed that there is a rule within the CCP that retired cadres, especially those above deputy ministerial-level, cannot form alliances.
“The people such as Wang Zhen and Chen Yun conspired to deal with Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang, all of it was done at Beidaihe. However, when it came to Jiang Zemin, they were forbidden from meeting in private. One of my friends said that once Tian Jiyun and Hu Qili were at Beidaihe together, and Hu Qili used to be a member of the Politburo which was older and more qualified than the others. Hu Qili burst into tears, and Tian Jiyun quickly patted his shoulder, then separated from him and left in a hurry. This incident took place during the 18th National Congress.”
On April 29, Minister of State Security of the CCP, Chen Yixin, mentioned in a signed article on the front page of the newspaper “Study Times” that the State Security Department aims to counter subversion, hegemony, separatism, terrorism, and espionage. The focus on countering subversion emphasizes resolutely preventing and defending against “color revolutions” externally, and mentions resolutely rooting out “nails and internal traitors” within.
Independent commentator Cai Shenkun wrote on an overseas platform that officials personally promoted by Xi Jinping were continually being purged last year. For instance, then-new Foreign Minister Qin Gang and new Defense Minister Li Shangfu, together with a large number of senior officers in the Rocket Force being purged, indicating that the “nails” and “internal traitors” surrounding Xi Jinping are omnipresent and difficult to guard against.
China expert Wang He stated to Epoch Times on May 11 that Xi Jinping currently has several close aides in charge of organizations similar to the Eastern and Western Palaces. Wang Xiaohong oversees security matters, and Chen Yixin is in charge of national security. These individuals are currently thriving, especially now with the use of big data and high technology to tightly control the entire political landscape.
In the past, with Zhou Yongkang heading the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, it seems that among the members of the Politburo Standing Committee, Xi Jinping directly manages the “key points.”
Former CCP official who once served as legal adviser to Hu Chunhua, Du Wen, expressed to Epoch Times that the current system revolves around Xi Jinping. Former Secretaries of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission no longer hold positions as even members of the Politburo Standing Committee; judging from the current political arrangements, it is evident Xi Jinping directly controls the “key points.”
Wang He believes that during the Soviet Union’s “August 19” incident, when Gorbachev went to the Black Sea, a sudden political coup occurred in Moscow. There are also similar instances within the CCP’s history, like when Hua Guofeng took down the Gang of Four, he had support from figures such as Ye Jianying and, most importantly, the involvement of the Director of the Central Guard Bureau, Wang Dongxing, who had genuine power, led to success. On the other hand, the Gang of Four—Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, Jiang Qing, and Yao Wenyuan—fundamentally lacked genuine power.
“Xi Jinping has replaced the personnel of the Central Guard Bureau how many times? If someone is found to be even slightly inadequate, they are immediately replaced. In this situation, something similar to the previous August coup in the Soviet Union or the Hua Guofeng coup is currently not realistically possible within the CCP.”
Du Wen also mentioned that Xi Jinping is a distrustful individual who disassociates from family members, raising doubts about the concept of Xi’s loyalists in the military. Currently, Xi stands as the supreme figure within the party, making it challenging to find a formidable force within the party to counter him. However, if the so-called Xi loyalists do not exist, the possibility of a coup naturally remains. “This is likely the real and greatest challenge facing Xi Jinping.”
Associate Professor of Political Science at National Taiwan University, Chen Shimin, stated to Epoch Times on May 11 that Xi Jinping is currently in a predicament. The more his power consolidates, the more he frets about those around him seeking to seize power, and he becomes increasingly mistrustful of everyone around him.
“In a totalitarian regime like the CCP, the most significant political issue lies with the problem of power succession. Currently, it is quite apparent that Xi Jinping has not arranged for any inheritance of power. Whether Xi Jinping’s health is an issue is nearly the highest state secret.”
Chen Shimin illustrated Xi’s behavior during his visit to France:
“During his visit to France, when meeting with French President Macron, Xi placed a black cup on the table that differed completely from others. It was evident that he was very cautious, perhaps fearing that the cup touched by his saliva might be taken by the French to analyze his genetic material. This is a dilemma frequently faced by authoritarian dictators in totalitarian states.”
Kindly note that the original article concluded with a mention of a previous report concerning the security measures at Xi Jinping’s “Eleven” banquet, which has been omitted here.