Xi Jinping’s New Year Speech Without Photos in the Background Raises Eyebrows

Heavenly signs and phenomena often correspond to the rise and fall of dynasties, the fortunes and misfortunes of the world, and the blessings and disasters of mankind. (pixabay)

People News - On December 31, 2024, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping delivered his annual New Year’s speech. On television, Xi was seen seated before a grand depiction of the Great Wall of China, and from start to finish, this painting was the sole background. This detail is highly unusual.

Why is it unusual? Because for at least the past seven years, Xi’s New Year speeches have featured a more elaborate backdrop. In addition to a scaled-down version of the Great Wall painting, his background typically included bookshelves on either side. These shelves were strategically arranged to project an image of Xi as a "scholarly" leader, filled with various books, and most notably, with numerous framed photographs showcasing different periods of Xi’s life, as well as his family.

For instance, during his New Year speech on December 31, 2023, the bookshelves behind Xi displayed a variety of photographs, many of which appeared for the first time. According to reports from CCP state media, these photos captured many “precious moments” from 2023, such as Xi’s inspection tours to various regions, highlighting his “affection for the people”; his personal involvement in economic planning; his state visits, which underscored the “achievements of head-of-state diplomacy”; visits to cultural heritage sites; military inspections; and his concern for children. Notably, these photos included family portraits that projected his “compassionate” side. Among them were images of Xi with his father Xi Zhongxun and mother Qi Xin, a photo with his wife Peng Liyuan, and one of the three-person family, all appearing on the bookshelves for the first time.

Unquestionably, every photo was meticulously selected to construct the image of a “towering leader” and to reinforce Xi’s status as the “supreme leader.”

Similarly, during his New Year speech on December 31, 2022, state media described it as his 10th such speech in his capacity as state president. The 27 photographs displayed behind him garnered significant attention, many of which debuted for the occasion. These photos were, once again, carefully curated for propaganda purposes. Besides family portraits, they included images from the CCP’s 20th Party Congress, meetings with Winter Olympics athletes, Xi’s visit to Renmin University for inspections, ceremonies where Xi awarded military honors, and his attendance at the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China. The photos also featured moments from his international trips, meetings with former leaders like Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, staged interactions with ordinary citizens, and even two older images of Xi from his youth—one from 1979 during his work at the Central Military Commission’s General Office. According to state media’s fawning rhetoric, these “27 photos recorded the major moments of 2022, showcasing Chairman Xi Jinping’s affection for the people, devotion to the nation, and unwavering commitment to his mission.”

According to the author’s research, in late 2014, Xi Jinping’s New Year’s address featured five photos on the bookshelves behind him. By late 2015, there were seven photos, including family portraits and images from significant events. Over the years, the number of photos gradually increased.

From the initial five photos in 2014 to nearly 30 by late 2023, and then to none at all by the end of 2024, the message being conveyed is unmistakable. It reflects the widespread rumors that emerged after the July 2024 Third Plenary Session regarding Xi’s declining health and subsequent erosion of his power within the military and the Party. These speculations, supported by various anomalies, have now been further substantiated.

If Xi still held the highest authority within the Party, his New Year’s address would likely have featured even more photos, emphasizing his status as the “supreme leader.” Yet, the reality is that all photos were absent this year, leaving only a depiction of the Great Wall of China. In the CCP’s ideological lexicon, the Great Wall symbolizes the “representative emblem of the Chinese nation and an important symbol of Chinese civilization.” In other words, Xi’s status as the “supreme leader” is being deliberately downplayed. Even his ability to use photos to bolster his image has been curtailed.

Another detail worth noting is the sharp contrast with Xi’s 2018 New Year’s address, where he frequently emphasized the word “I,” using it nine times to convey deeper meanings. Examples include: “I applaud the great creative power of the Chinese people!” “When Hong Kong returned to the motherland 20 years ago, I visited Hong Kong.” “I also participated in some major multilateral meetings around the world. At the beginning of the year, I attended the World Economic Forum in Davos… In these various settings, I had in-depth exchanges with all relevant parties…” “I received many letters from the masses; their stories deeply moved me… making me realize that the most extraordinary individuals are the countless ordinary people.” “I understand that what concerns the people most are issues such as education, employment, income, social security, healthcare, elderly care, housing, and the environment…”

In prior years, Xi’s speeches featured phrases like “I represent,” “I express my gratitude to everyone,” “I firmly believe,” and “I hope.” However, in 2018, the frequent use of “I” marked a shift. After consolidating power at the CCP’s 19th National Congress, Xi’s centralization of authority replaced or weakened the collective leadership model of the Politburo. His elevated “core” status surpassed those of Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao. Subsequent New Year’s speeches continued to highlight “I,” until the 2024 address, where references to “I” were significantly downplayed. Notably, Xi avoided mentioning his participation in the Beijing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation or summits like the SCO and BRICS. The question arises: who is preventing him from speaking about these events?

With these two anomalies now in full view, it’s fair to ask: How much power does Xi Jinping truly hold at this moment?

(People News Exclusive)