Rumors regarding the downfall of Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping have been circulating recently, with personnel changes occurring in key departments controlled by Xi’s allies. Hu Binchen, a close confidant of Xi and the head of the Office of the Ministry of Public Security, has been transferred out of Beijing with an unclear new position. Analysts suggest that due to Xi’s loss of power, Hu Binchen’s superior, Wang Xiaohong, may also have ambitions for a promotion. A power struggle is anticipated between Wang and Cai Qi, who oversees the Central Security Bureau, for control over monitoring the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.
According to reports from Jiangsu TV, on May 27th, the entire Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party held a meeting in Nanjing. Hu Binchen, who previously served as a member of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Public Security and the Secretary of the Office Party Committee, attended the meeting and was seen sitting between Zhou Guangzhi, the Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Congress, and Yao Xiaodong, the Deputy Chairman of the Provincial Political Consultative Conference.
Media reports in mainland China indicate that Hu Binchen, who had been the top aide to Wang Xiaohong for just a year, has been reassigned from the Ministry of Public Security.
Public information shows that 54-year-old Hu Binchen has held positions such as Police Affairs Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the United States and Director of the International Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Public Security. He was appointed as an assistant to the Minister of Public Security in April last year, and later took on the role of Secretary of the Office Party Committee and Director, becoming Wang Xiaohong’s key figure at the Ministry of Public Security.
The Ministry of Public Security, often described as a crucial tool for maintaining stability within the Communist Party, saw a significant turnover of personnel in senior positions with the appointment of Wang Xiaohong as Minister of Public Security. Various key positions were filled with individuals chosen by Wang Xiaohong.
Hu Binchen’s sudden transfer from the Ministry of Public Security has sparked speculation about its connection to the high-level political developments within the Chinese Communist Party.
According to reliable sources, although Xi Jinping remains in office on the surface, his power has significantly waned, with figures like Wen Jiabao and Zhang Yuxia becoming key factors influencing China’s political landscape.
Recent rumors have suggested that Xi’s military authority has been sidelined by Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Yuxia, leading to unprecedented power struggles within the top echelons of the Chinese Communist Party. Analysts have noted Cai Qi’s rare omission of mentioning Xi as the core leader in a recent public speech, fueling rumors of a shift in allegiance.
Independent commentator Cai Shunkun analyzed on May 27 that the relationship between Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong is currently delicate. Both are close allies of Xi Jinping and have previously worked in Fujian province. Wang Xiaohong, now serving as a Secretary of the Central Secretariat, State Councilor, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security Party Committee, and Minister, has expanded his involvement beyond legal affairs to economic matters, suggesting potential ambitions for a strategic power grab in the event of Xi’s incapacitation.
Cai Shunkun pointed out that since Wang Xiaohong assumed control of the Ministry of Public Security, he has conducted a thorough purge of the existing personnel and elevated the specifications of the original Public Security Guard Bureau, officially establishing a Special Guard Bureau that to some extent, replaced the Central Security Bureau.
According to publicly available information, the Central Security Bureau’s main function is to ensure the personal security of the top leaders of the Chinese state and military. The Special Guard Bureau, which evolved from the Public Security Guard Bureau, overlaps slightly with the Central Security Bureau in terms of functions. The Bureau is responsible for safeguarding “four deputies and two highs,” including Deputy State Chairmen, Deputy Premier, National People’s Congress Deputy Chairmen, Supreme Procurator General, receiving foreign dignitaries, ensuring security for major events, and managing the International Peacekeeping Detachment (Peacekeeping Police), among other duties.
Cai Shunkun stated that traditionally, the Central Security Bureau was responsible for safeguarding and monitoring the leaders of the party and state. However, during Ding Xuexiang’s tenure as head of the Central Office, Xi Jinping apparently had concerns and subsequently led to the abnormal death of the former director of the Central Security Bureau, Wang Shaojun. This situation suggested that the Public Security Special Guard Bureau under Wang Xiaohong’s command played a role in replacing the Central Security Bureau, indicating Wang’s significant efforts in this realm.
Cai Shunkun noted that prior to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and afterward, for an extended period, monitoring responsibilities for officials at the deputy national level and above, including national-level leaders, were transferred to the newly established Public Security Special Guard Bureau under Wang Xiaohong’s leadership. However, after Ding Xuexiang joined the Standing Committee, control over the Central Security Bureau returned to Cai Qi from Wang Xiaohong. The opposing viewpoints of Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong on the responsibility of monitoring the party and state leaders have led to significant disagreements.
He further suggested that Wang Xiaohong’s recent resignation as the Secretary of the Special Guard Bureau and the Director, with new appointments, indicates a potential weakening of the bureau’s authority. As a result, a considerable portion of safeguarding and monitoring the party and state leaders has shifted back to Cai Qi’s jurisdiction.
Cai predicted that due to Wang Xiaohong’s ongoing ambitions, the power struggle between Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong is likely to intensify in the coming period, potentially reaching a boiling point either later this year or before the 21st National Congress. Their conflict could become entirely publicized.
Cai Shunkun had previously revealed last year that Ding Xuexiang had joined forces with Wang Xiaohong to remove Cai Qi from his position. This move was a result of Cai Qi’s alleged spying on Xi Jinping, which hindered the careers of Ding and Wang during the 20th National Congress.
Before the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, there were speculations that Xi Jinping might elevate Wang Xiaohong, who had quickly risen from Deputy Minister of Public Security to Minister, to the Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission and a member of the Politburo. However, all these speculations ultimately fell through. Meanwhile, Ding Xuexiang, who served as the Director of the Central Office before the 20th National Congress, became a member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee afterward, although his crucial position in the office was overtaken by Cai Qi.