Eastern Theater Commander Lin Xiangyang Allegedly Commits Suicide: The Complexities Behind Miao Hua’s Downfall

Image: A Chinese military canine and demolition unit conducting a security sweep at Tiananmen Square. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

[People News] Yesterday, multiple posts surfaced on the social media platform X, claiming that General Lin Xiangyang, the commander of the Eastern Theater Command, had died by suicide. Former journalist Zhao Lanjian, in a post titled Behind Miao Hua: The Rapid Death of a Powerful Army Commander, wrote, “Among Beijing’s Red Second Generation circles, news quickly spread that Lin Xiangyang, a comrade of Miao Hua, had ‘committed suicide’ (or was murdered—if attributed to illness, it’s still murder).” A user named “xianghuang” commented, “The speed of Lin Xiangyang’s death surpassed the pace of our reporting and tracking… It accelerated his descent to ‘hell.’” Another account, “Overseas Exposé,” stated, “General Lin Xiangyang’s sudden death was likely due to fear of being implicated in the case of General Miao Hua, leading to either suicide or death from fright. Previously, Lieutenant General Liang Hong of the Armed Police Force also committed suicide, though the authorities claimed he died of illness. (Reports of Lin’s suicide) are said to originate from Red Second Generation and Military Second Generation circles within the PLA!”

Upon review, the author was unable to verify the above information through official CCP channels. Given the recent surge in rumors about the Chinese military—some of which have been confirmed with credible sources, such as the fall of Miao Hua and Dong Jun’s alleged “tea-drinking” sessions with authorities—the possibility of Lin Xiangyang’s death warrants a brief analysis for readers.

According to Wikipedia, Lin Xiangyang was born in 1964 in Fuqing, Fujian Province. After graduating from Nanchang Army Academy in July 1983, he was assigned to the 31st Group Army, where he served as a platoon leader, staff officer, company commander, and regimental commander. In May 2013, he was promoted to deputy commander of the 31st Group Army. In March 2017, he became commander of the newly formed 82nd Group Army. By April 2020, he had risen to commander of the Eastern Theater Army and, in August 2021, was appointed commander of the Central Theater Command, attaining the rank of general. In January 2022, he returned to the Eastern Theater Command as its commander and currently serves as a member of the 20th Central Committee of the CCP.

The 31st Group Army, located in Fujian—where Xi Jinping once worked—is part of the Eastern Theater Command Army. Several key figures, including Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong and the recently ousted Miao Hua, originated from this unit. The Eastern Theater Command is regarded as Xi’s trusted force for protecting his regime and is seen as the core military unit for a potential Taiwan unification operation, thus earning its reputation as a loyalist force. The Central Theater Command, tasked with safeguarding Beijing, is also viewed as a "Xi-aligned" military region. Lin Xiangyang’s appointments to both theaters underscore Xi’s trust in him, as Lin and Xi worked together during Xi’s tenure in Fujian. Lin, like Miao Hua, is considered one of Xi’s closest allies within the military hierarchy.

It is unlikely that Xi would personally take down Miao Hua over corruption allegations. Corruption within the CCP is systemic, and few officials are untouched by it. Miao Hua wielded considerable influence over military promotions, as evidenced by Lin Xiangyang’s rapid career advancement, which occurred during Miao’s tenure overseeing military personnel matters. If Xi were to purge multiple close allies simultaneously, it would be equivalent to undermining his own foundation. No matter how committed Xi is to consolidating his power or winning public support, it is implausible that he would target figures like Miao Hua.

If rumors of Lin Xiangyang being implicated due to Miao Hua’s investigation are true, it is likely not a directive from Xi himself. The probability that Lin was affected by Miao’s downfall is high. If Lin was subjected to questioning—possibly through a “tea-drinking” session—it would suggest a significant weakening of Xi’s authority. This would indicate that Xi no longer enjoys unchallenged supremacy (“One Leader”) or has absolute control over the military. Under such circumstances, it is plausible that factions within the CCP may be targeting Xi’s loyalists.

Speculation online suggests that Lin either committed suicide or was “suicided.” Suicide, It is plausible that Lin, fearing exposure due to Miao Hua’s investigation, may have shared culpability with Miao. Facing potential disgrace, financial ruin, and physical punishment, Lin may have opted for suicide as a way to escape. Homicide (“Suicided”), Alternatively, Lin could have been silenced to prevent him from revealing sensitive information. This could have been orchestrated by insiders or those aware of his connections. The CCP’s history is rife with instances of “suicide” or “assisted suicide” during internal power struggles, such as the cases of former Central Security Bureau Chief Wang Shaojun and former Political Work Department Director Zhang Yang.

Lin being implicated due to Miao Hua’s investigation is plausible, and the probability of him being detained or questioned is high. Whether he died by suicide or was silenced remains uncertain. Observers may need to wait for further developments from the CCP, though official confirmation may never come. Future appointments to the Eastern Theater Command or news of Lin Xiangyang’s public activities may provide clues about his fate.

Regardless of the specifics, those who serve the CCP ultimately meet a grim fate. Figures like Miao Hua, Li Shangfu, and Qin Gang—who rose rapidly to high positions—saw their ambitions shattered in less than a year. It’s like watching a grand mansion being built, only to see it collapse. The ambiguous rumors surrounding these events reflect not only possibilities but also public sentiment, perfectly echoing a passage from Dream of the Red Chamber:

"Withered grass and barren willows once hosted revelry...
Gold and silver overflowing in chests, yet in the blink of an eye, they beg as despised outcasts...
Because the official hat was too small, they ended up carrying shackles and chains...
How absurd, in the end, it’s all just making wedding clothes for others!"