Xi Jinping Inspects the Information Support Troops: Divergences Between Military Media and Party Media

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

People News - Following the announcement of an investigation into Miao Hua, a key ally of Xi Jinping within the military and the head of the CCP Central Military Commission’s Political Department, there has been increased attention both domestically and internationally on the dynamics at the top of the CCP. Observers are attempting to uncover the underlying reasons behind the unusual developments in Beijing over the past few months. Is Xi Jinping leading a purge within the military, effectively severing his own support base? Or is there a higher-level CCP figure pulling the strings behind the scenes, gradually undermining Xi's control over military and party power?

On December 5, both the CCP’s military website and state-run media reported on Xi Jinping’s inspection of the Information Support Troops. Xi was accompanied by Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Liu Zhenli, and Zhang Shengmin—the only remaining members of the Central Military Commission. The reports seemingly aimed to project an image of stability, asserting Xi’s continued control and denying any significant unrest within the military. However, upon closer observation, the narrative appears less convincing. Xi’s demeanor in the footage lacked energy; Zhang Youxia appeared grim; and the expressions of various officers seemed less enthusiastic, perhaps even subtly suggestive. Furthermore, Xi notably avoided mentioning politically charged slogans like "political army-building," a common theme in past speeches. This public appearance, intended to dispel rumors of instability, seems instead to have deepened suspicions, raising further questions about the situation within the party and military.

Many might not have noticed the small but significant differences in how the CCP’s military website, Xinhua News, and People’s Daily reported on the same news about Xi Jinping’s inspection of the Information Support Troops. Firstly, the content and photos in all three reports appear identical, despite being attributed to different authors. This indicates that the reports were based on a standardized press release, carefully reviewed and featuring meticulously chosen images.

The two published photos include one of Xi Jinping shaking hands with military officers alongside the four Central Military Commission (CMC) members—Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Liu Zhenli, and Zhang Shengmin—and another of Xi speaking while seated. Notably, the second photo lacks the visible table nameplate reading "Xi Jinping," as it was shot from the side rather than from the front.

So, what are the differences in the reports from the military website, Xinhua News, and People’s Daily? The biggest difference is that the military website placed the group photo above Xi Jinping's individual photo, whereas Xinhua News and People’s Daily did the opposite, placing Xi Jinping's individual photo above the group photo. Comparing reports of Xi’s military inspections over the past two years, it is evident that the military website has generally placed Xi Jinping's individual photo above the group photos with the vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission.

This becomes quite interesting. The arrangement on the military website is clearly deliberate. Could it be signaling to the outside world that Xi's position within the military has indeed declined, and that the collective authority of the Central Military Commission (CMC) now outweighs Xi's personal authority? If not, what other purpose could such an arrangement serve?

There’s more intrigue beyond this. Unlike the military website, which followed its usual practice of embedding the video link below the headline and above the photos shortly after the news aired on CCTV, Xinhua News and People’s Daily have yet to include the video link. This is highly unusual. Could it be that certain expressions captured in the video—those of Xi Jinping or the officers—are something that some do not want the public to see?

Additionally, while People’s Daily used Xinhua News’ content and photos for its report, strangely, the photos were added later and resized to half their original dimensions. What could be the reason for this?

Could the subtle differences between the military website, Xinhua News, and People’s Daily indicate that internal power struggles within the CCP leadership are still ongoing? Is the military, along with the CCP elders behind it, pulling the strings? Or are Xi Jinping and his close allies still trying to maintain their grip on power?

Let’s also discuss the absence of Xi Jinping’s nameplate in the photo. In past reports of Xi’s inspections of military units, all seated speaking photos—apart from those where he is standing—consistently featured three standard elements: his nameplate, teacup, and microphone.

However, in the single photo of Xi taken during this inspection of the Information Support Troops, the angle of the shot seems to have been deliberately chosen from the side rather than the front, clearly avoiding the nameplate. Xi’s body is positioned about two-thirds to the left of the microphone. Comparing this to photos from his previous inspections—such as the November 29, 2022 visit to the Coast Guard East Sea Area Command, the July 26, 2023 visit to the Western Air Force, or the April 2023 visit to the Southern Theater Command Navy—it becomes evident that all three of those included the three standard elements, with the nameplate never omitted once.

Some might argue that everyone recognizes Xi Jinping, and whether the nameplate is present or not doesn’t matter. However, when something that is usually routine deviates from the norm, it’s clearly not that simple. In the CCP system, all reporters covering and photographing high-ranking leaders are required to strictly adhere to established standards, following the principles of "center alignment" and "front-facing angles" to create the so-called image of authority and stature.

So, what does the disappearance of Xi’s nameplate in the photo signify? That’s for everyone to interpret on their own.

(First published in People News)