Recently, in a key border region of China, Xinjiang, there has been a change in leadership with Chen Xiaojiang taking over from Ma Xingrui as the top official, raising suspicions due to Chen’s lack of local governing experience. Some scholars point out that Chen’s background in discipline inspection and united front work may have been a factor in the leadership change, which is also related to the changing situation in the Middle East and the political landscape in Xinjiang.
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency on July 1st, Ma Xingrui, a current member of the Politburo, will no longer serve as the Party Secretary of Xinjiang, and Chen Xiaojiang will be taking over.
Public records show that Chen Xiaojiang, born in June 1962 in Longyou, Zhejiang, previously held various positions within the Communist Party system before his current role in Xinjiang. Xinjiang, which makes up one-sixth of China’s territory, has historically been overseen by Politburo members serving as Party Secretaries. It is speculated that Chen Xiaojiang might be promoted to the Politburo at the 21st Party Congress.
Unlike previous Xinjiang Secretaries who had experience governing other regions, such as Zhang Chunxian in Hunan and Chen Quanguo in Tibet, Chen Xiaojiang’s experience is limited to serving as the Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission for only one year before this current appointment.
Multiple pro-Beijing media outlets have noted that Chen Xiaojiang took on his previous role in the Central United Front Work Department and as the Director of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission in late 2020, following the unrest caused by Inner Mongolia’s push for national curriculum materials. Chen’s background in discipline inspection has also drawn attention.
Legal expert Yuan Hongbing, currently residing in Australia, believes that the change in leadership in Xinjiang is directly related to the evolving political situation in the Middle East.
He mentioned that previously, China had two main pillars in the Middle East: the Assad regime in Syria and the regime of Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei. With the downfall of the Assad regime in Syria due to various uprisings, including Uighur resistance forces in Eastern Turkestan, this force is likely to turn its attention towards China, posing a potential threat.
Yuan Hongbing revealed information from sources within the Chinese system, indicating that after the collapse of the Assad regime, this force began planning strategies to return to Xinjiang to combat China, specifically targeting the state’s violent apparatus rather than indiscriminate societal targets.
This development has caused significant unease and fear among the Chinese leadership and is a key factor in Chen Xiaojiang replacing Ma Xingrui.
Yuan Hongbing explained that Beijing had initially appointed Ma Xingrui to oversee Xinjiang to promote economic development and stabilize society through economic growth. However, facing challenging political and military circumstances, Chen Xiaojiang has been brought in. Having a background in united front work and previously serving as the Deputy Secretary of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission, which is considered one of the most significant terrorist intelligence organizations within the Communist Party.
Chen’s familiarity with ethnic affairs and his iron-fisted approach from his time in the discipline inspection system led to his assignment as the Secretary of Xinjiang to address the current situation in the region.
On July 1st, a leadership meeting was held in Xinjiang where Huang Jianfa, a Deputy Minister overseeing daily operations, announced the decision on behalf of the Central Committee, stating that the adjustments were made based on the overall situation and work requirements after comprehensive consideration and careful study.