The "PLA Party Building Conference" of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was held in Beijing from July 20 to 21. He Weidong, Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua, and Zhang Sheng were seated on the podium. CMC Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia was absent. (Screenshot from CCTV video)
[People News] On the evening of March 13 at 9:27 PM, former Chinese journalist Zhao Lanjian, now residing in the U.S., made a shocking revelation on X (formerly Twitter): He Weidong, a member of the 20th Central Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), had been taken away, and his residences in Beijing and Shanghai were raided. According to Zhao, his information came from authoritative sources, who stated that He Weidong was detained on-site at the August 1st Building (the headquarters of the PLA in Beijing) immediately after returning from the March 11 meeting. The upper ranks of the PLA are currently in a state of extreme tension.
The revelation immediately sparked intense debate among analysts and commentators. Some dismissed it as rumor-mongering, while others argued that signs of his downfall were evident.
He Weidong has long been considered a core member of Xi Jinping’s inner military circle. He previously served as the Commander of the Eastern Theater Command, directly overseeing military operations related to Taiwan. His rapid promotion to CMC Vice Chairman, alongside Zhang Youxia, was seen as Xi’s strategic move to groom a successor to Zhang.
Public records indicate that He Weidong hails from Xi Jinping's core military faction—the 31st Group Army. He enlisted in December 1972 and was assigned to the reconnaissance company of the 91st Army Division. By June 2007, he had risen to the position of chief of staff of the 31st Group Army. He subsequently held several key roles, including deputy commander of the 31st Group Army, deputy chief of staff of the Nanjing Military Region, commander of the Jiangsu Provincial Military District, commander of the Shanghai Garrison, and deputy commander of the Western Theater Command, as well as army commander. On February 24, 2018, he was elected as a representative to the 13th National People's Congress. In December 2019, he was promoted to general and appointed commander of the Eastern Theater Command. Then, on October 23, 2022, he was unexpectedly elevated to a member of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission; in March 2023, he was again appointed vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China.
He Weidong's swift ascent from theater commander to a senior position in the Military Commission, despite lacking political work experience while overseeing military discipline, military affairs, and propaganda, has taken many by surprise. It is widely perceived as a strategic move by Xi to counter Zhang Youxia. In fact, after joining the Military Commission, He has been a vocal supporter of Xi, consistently demonstrating loyalty and frequently referencing concepts such as 'Xi Jinping Thought', 'the two establishments and two safeguards', and 'the responsibility system of the chairman of the Military Commission' in meetings and propaganda efforts. His influence within the party and military is substantial, so when rumors about his arrest began circulating, many observers were taken aback and found it hard to believe, dismissing it as mere speculation.
However, independent commentator Cai Shenkun remarked in today's self-media program that there are discernible clues.
Cai Shenkun analyzed that both He Weidong and Miao Hua originated from the 31st Army Group, and their career trajectories have numerous intersections. When Miao Hua faced issues, it is unlikely that He Weidong had no connection whatsoever; even in the absence of a direct link, there would certainly be some repercussions, making it impossible for there to be no reflection at all. Subsequently, several high-ranking military officials promoted by Miao Hua, including former Army Political Commissar Qin Shutong, Navy Political Commissar Yuan Huazhi, and Armed Police Commander Wang Chunning, also encountered problems, which are also tied to He Weidong. He Weidong cannot be entirely uninvolved; at the very least, there are issues regarding personnel decisions.
Cai Shenkun further elaborated that since the rumors of Xi's military power being curtailed following last year's Third Plenary Session, military media have stressed democratic centralism and rejected the notion of a one-man rule in their reports, effectively denying the responsibility system of the Chairman of the Military Commission. Party media have also highlighted collective leadership, mentioning Xi Jinping's core, Xi's supremacy, and Xi's leadership less frequently or not at all. Although He Weidong initially fought alone and brought up the need for a responsibility system for the chairman of the Military Commission several times, his voice has weakened over time, and he ultimately ceased to mention it. As the head of propaganda, He Weidong's shift from his previous stance to downplay Xi indicates that he is under significant pressure. Meanwhile, Army Commander Li Qiaoming, who did not attend the promotion ceremony of Chen Huijin to General last December and has also been rumored to be in trouble, made an appearance at this National People's Congress meeting. Li Qiaoming is affiliated with the Zhang Youxia faction. Cai Shenkun noted that his presence at the National People's Congress suggests that he is in good standing, which likely indicates a significant issue: Xi Jinping's military authority has waned, Zhang Youxia is consolidating power, and anti-Xi factions may be preparing for a counter-purge.
In a 28-minute segment on self-media, Cai Shenkun stated that if He Weidong is arrested, it suggests that previous rumors about various unfavorable situations in the military concerning Xi Jinping are indeed true. It is highly likely that Xi's power has been undermined after gaining support from reformists within the military. This could also indicate that the Chinese Communist Party's military may once again experience upheaval at the top! Chinese society might face an unexpected major shift, and the situation in the Taiwan Strait could also see positive changes.
What, then, is the real reason behind He Weidong's detention? Is it related to a significant purge of military corruption? Or has the factional struggle within the military entered a new phase? Or does it involve a deeper political crisis? Cai Shenkun believes that, due to the lack of other information sources to support this claim, it remains to be seen.
Regardless of the truth of the information, the unrest within the upper echelons of the Chinese Communist Party is an undeniable fact. From Zhao Leji's sudden public announcement of a respiratory illness during the Two Sessions to his overnight recovery, and from Li Qiang and Wang Huning presenting conflicting economic narratives to Xi Jinping's apparent 'trembling hands' and vacant stare, the strange behavior of the CCP's top leaders has become increasingly evident. The public's interest in rumors surrounding high-ranking CCP officials reflects the sentiments of the people; society in China, from top to bottom, hopes for an early end to the CCP's brutal dictatorship and for the attainment of freedom and safety.
It is noteworthy that Zhao Lanjian and Cai Shenkun, two influential figures in self-media, frequently reveal insider information about the CCP's high-ranking officials. Many of the details they disclosed in advance have later been confirmed directly or indirectly by the CCP itself, including incidents involving Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghe, the investigation of Miao Hua, the troubles faced by Qin Shutang, and the death of the General Administration of Customs director Yu Jianhua, among others…
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