Photo Caption: Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang (second from left) at the closing ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Former President Hu Jintao was forcibly escorted out early. The congress concluded at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Xi was expected to secure his third term. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
People News - Reports throughout this year have pointed to an intense power struggle between CCP leader Xi Jinping and Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia. Many senior military officials have reportedly been purged, with Xi's loyalist faction within the military particularly targeted. Recently, new developments suggest that Qin Shutong, a general from Xi’s loyalist forces and former Political Commissar of the PLA Army, has been relieved of his position under unclear circumstances. General Chen Hui, who was promoted to general on December 23, has taken over Qin's role. Some speculate that Xi may be gradually losing his command over the PLA, with military power potentially shifting back to former President Hu Jintao.
Commentator Xu Ke noted that during the ceremony on the 23rd where Chen Hui was promoted to general, three other generals were notably absent, including the former Army Political Commissar Qin Shutong, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Observers were struck by Xi’s grim demeanor throughout the event, as seen in the CCTV news footage, with no sign of a smile.
Xu Ke explained that after the CCP’s 20th National Congress, state media revealed that all Central Committee members were personally selected and vetted by Xi. These individuals are broadly considered part of Xi’s faction. According to protocol, these candidates must first pass through Miao Hua, a key gatekeeper for military appointments within the 20th Central Committee, before being approved by Xi. Miao has been implicated in corruption involving bribery and the sale of military ranks. The recent troubles among these individuals not only highlight Xi's poor judgment in personnel selection but also suggest Xi's dissatisfaction and mistrust of Miao. The purging of military ranks under Xi's administration is officially framed as anti-corruption efforts, but the underlying reason is likely political disloyalty. Having held military power for 12 years, Xi has promoted 79 generals, 10 of whom he has since purged, eroding his authority and breeding resentment within the military. His grip on the military appears to have loosened, if not already transferred to others.
According to Dajiyuan, Qin Shutong was a key member of Xi’s military faction and became Army Political Commissar in January 2022. He was also a member of the CCP’s 20th Central Committee and had previously served in the 31st Group Army of the PLA. However, since September of this year, rumors have surfaced that Qin was under investigation and had been removed from his post. To date, the CCP has not officially disclosed any information related to Qin.
Former Chinese Navy Lieutenant Commander Yao Cheng also posted on X (formerly Twitter), noting that while Qin Shutong was transferred to the 31st Group Army after Xi Jinping had already left Fujian, he had previously worked with Miao Hua, who has since been investigated. Yao speculates that Qin’s promotions in subsequent years were likely facilitated by Miao. Rumors about Qin being under investigation began circulating before Miao’s own downfall, suggesting that Qin’s troubles may be linked to CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia.
According to Newtalk, the Twitter account "Xi Dynasty" posted that, in addition to the investigations of Miao Hua and the recently spotlighted Qin Shutong, a series of other high-ranking military officials have fallen in recent months. These include General Lin Xiangyang, Commander of the Eastern Theater Command; General Qin Shengxiang, Director of the Military Reform Office; Lieutenant General Chen Guoqiang, Deputy Secretary of the CMC Discipline Inspection Commission; Lieutenant General Li Huohui, Head of the Training and Administration Department; Lieutenant General Zhang Mingcai, Commander of the PLA Army; and Admiral Li Pengcheng, Commander of the PLA Navy. The account described these developments as highly suspicious.
"Xi Dynasty" emphasized that many of these fallen officials are from the 31st Group Army, Xi Jinping's core faction known as the "Fujian Clique." Several were considered Xi’s trusted confidants. The account argues that it is implausible for Xi to have orchestrated a large-scale purge of his own base, suggesting instead that these developments are part of factional struggles within the CCP leadership.
"Xi Dynasty" further analyzed that Xi’s only remaining trusted ally in the military may be CMC Vice Chairman He Weidong, indicating that Xi’s control over the PLA has effectively been hollowed out. The account suggested that the purges of Xi’s loyalist military officials are likely tied to Zhang Youxia, backed by none other than Hu Jintao.
The account claimed that Hu Jintao may have launched decisive measures in late June, sweeping out generals and senior officers promoted by Xi and forcing Xi to promote He Hongjun, Deputy Director of the CMC Political Work Department, to general in early July. This was followed by the convening of the Third Plenum.
"Xi Dynasty" concluded that with the dismissals of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and Miao Hua, Hu Jintao has successfully consolidated control over the PLA’s senior leadership, effectively becoming the de facto "Chairman of the Military Commission." Meanwhile, Xi, having lost much of his authority, is now merely the "First Vice Chairman" of the CMC. The account predicted that any future promotions within the PLA would likely exclude Xi’s loyalists, as Xi may have entirely lost control over the military.
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