Explosive Rumors of Xi Jinping’s Deputy Being Arrested – How Credible Are They?

Will the CCP Hold the Most Disastrous Two Sessions in History? (Illustration by People News)

[People News] Shortly after the conclusion of the CCP’s Two Sessions, shocking news has emerged from the Chinese military. Former Chinese journalist Zhao Lanjian posted an exclusive scoop on his X (Twitter) account, claiming that Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman He Weidong—widely regarded as a close ally of Xi Jinping—was taken away following the Two Sessions. According to the report, his residences in both Beijing and Shanghai were searched. While some netizens are skeptical, others are waiting for official confirmation. Given that several of Zhao’s previous leaks have been verified, this may not be entirely baseless. However, the CCP’s opaque decision-making process makes such reports difficult to verify—only an official announcement can confirm the truth.

How Credible is the “He Weidong Arrested” Report?

On March 13, Zhao Lanjian, who resides in the U.S., posted on X, citing an authoritative source, that He Weidong—who is a member of the 20th Politburo and a vice chairman of the CMC—was taken away on March 11 after leaving a National People's Congress meeting. His residences in Beijing and Shanghai were subsequently raided, and the situation was described as extremely tense. He Weidong has been a key figure in Xi Jinping’s military circle for years. He previously served as the commander of the Eastern Theater Command, directly overseeing Taiwan-related affairs, and has significant influence within both the Party and the military. His sudden removal suggests that another major shake-up within the Chinese military may be underway.

Zhao speculated on the potential reasons behind his downfall: Is this part of the ongoing anti-corruption purge within the military? Is it another escalation in factional struggles within the PLA? Or does it reflect a deeper political crisis within the CCP? He warned that this incident could further destabilize the Party and even impact the Taiwan Strait situation.

U.S.-based independent commentator Cai Shenkun, in a video broadcast on March 14, stated that he could not independently verify Zhao’s claim but analyzed its implications. According to Cai, He Weidong and Zhang Youxia are the two most powerful figures in the Chinese military. Zhang oversees military operations, and He Weidong was expected to take over his role when Xi promoted him. However, He has only been overseeing political work instead of military affairs. He and Miao Hua (another top military official) both previously commanded the 31st Group Army, a unit deeply loyal to Xi. Given that many former 31st Group Army officers have recently been purged, He Weidong’s fate is now uncertain.

Cai also pointed out that recent reports in the PLA Daily emphasizing "collective leadership" indicate tensions over military authority. Since Miao Hua is already under investigation, his direct superior—He Weidong—is undoubtedly under pressure as well. For Xi, military control is his top priority. If He Weidong truly falls, it would mark the beginning of Xi’s downfall. Previous rumors of Xi losing control over the military could then prove to be true. Cai warned, “If He Weidong is really in trouble, Xi Jinping and his circle of loyalists may not have much time left.”

In response to skeptics, Zhao Lanjian defended his credibility, stating in a follow-up comment: "This must be true. In the past, I have posted nearly ten exclusive scoops ahead of the mainstream media, and each was later confirmed within days."

From my perspective, Zhao Lanjian’s report should be judged without bias. Objectively speaking, the likelihood of its truthfulness is about 50/50.

Military Purges First Leaked, Then Confirmed in Recent Years

Notably, over the past two years, many cases of high-ranking officials falling from power in the Chinese military and defense industries were first leaked overseas before being officially confirmed.

For example, before the dismissal of the Rocket Force leadership in July 2023, former Chinese naval officer Yao Cheng, who now resides in the U.S., revealed on Twitter that Rocket Force Commander General Li Yuchao was taken away on June 26 during a meeting in his office. Yao claimed, "It is reported that Li Yuchao’s son is studying in the U.S. and may have been involved in leaking military intelligence." Yao later also exposed the downfall of a group of other senior military officers ahead of official announcements.

After delivering a speech at the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum on August 29, 2023, then-Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu disappeared from public view. On September 7, commentator Cai Shenkun posted an "unverified report" on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Li was under investigation for corruption and serious disciplinary violations.

On September 15, Zhao Lanjian told DAjiyuan that Li was arrested on September 1, and several other high-ranking military officials were also detained. Zhao revealed that eight officials from the CMC’s Equipment Development Department had been arrested, "all of whom were identified by Li Shangfu himself."

On October 24, 2023, the Chinese government officially announced Li Shangfu’s dismissal as Minister of Defense, confirming his fall from power.

In mid-September 2023, Zhao Lanjian exclusively reported that several senior executives in China’s military-industrial sector had been arrested, including: Liu Shiquan, Chairman of China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO); Yuan Jie, Chairman of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC); Chen Guoying, General Manager of China South Industries Group Corporation; Tan Ruisong, former Chairman and Party Secretary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

Zhao called these arrests "unprecedented" and suggested they indicated a brutal purge within China's defense industry. Later, all these individuals were either directly or indirectly confirmed to have been removed, along with even more senior officials in the military-industrial system who came under investigation.

On November 11, 2024, both Cai Shenkun and Yao Cheng posted on X, revealing that infighting within the Central Military Commission (CMC) had escalated and become more public, and that CMC member and Director of the Political Work Department Miao Hua had been taken away for investigation. Later, Zhao Lanjian reported that discussions in elite Chinese Communist Party (CCP) circles suggested Miao Hua was forcibly taken away "with a hood over his head by multiple soldiers, in full view of his neighborhood residents."

Then, on November 28, 2024, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Wu Qian announced at a press conference that Miao Hua had been suspended for ‘serious disciplinary violations.’

Even more interestingly, in February 2024, Taiwanese media outlet Up Media published an article by independent commentator Du Zheng titled "Xi Jinping’s Silent ‘Super-Tiger’ in the Military." The article identified Miao Hua as "the most corrupt figure in the military" and noted that he was the political patron of another official, Dong Jun. This now seems to have foreshadowed Miao Hua’s downfall.

Deep Discontent Within the Military—Could China Change Overnight?

In September 2023, Zhao Lanjian reported that there were forces within the Chinese military seeking to overthrow Xi Jinping, working to reorganize factions within the army. Zhao said his contacts in China told him that "purging just a few individuals won’t be enough."

Speaking on NTD Television’s Elite Forum program, Zhao stated that dissatisfaction with Xi "runs extremely deep within the PLA." While lower-ranking soldiers "are in a state of apathy," senior officers—especially those with powerful political backgrounds or broader perspectives—"recognize that China is in a state of paralysis under the current system."

"There have always been people in the military with rebellious intentions," Zhao said. "They have been working to reorganize the factions within the PLA. I've heard many voices expressing this, and I've seen many actions indicating this. I’ve had connections with relevant figures for many years."

The author of this article believes that many in the Chinese military do harbor rebellious intentions. Despite decades of CCP indoctrination under an atheist Marxist-Leninist regime, a sense of national pride and resistance against tyranny still exists among many Chinese military officers. Some have been deeply frustrated by Xi Jinping’s reckless leadership, while others, having read Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, have awakened and are waiting for the right moment to rise up.

During the recently concluded Two Sessions, an unusually low number of military and defense industry representatives attended. Many high-ranking officials were either dismissed or absent from key events, their whereabouts unknown. Some sources suggest that some of these officials have been "internally dealt with"—or even secretly executed.

Although the CCP has tightened its grip on information about internal power struggles, news of purges among senior military and defense officials continues to leak overseas. This suggests that there are still conscientious individuals within the system who oppose Xi and the CCP, risking their safety to leak information in the hope of triggering political change.

To further suppress such leaks, the Chinese government introduced the Regulations on the Dissemination of Military Information Online in March 2024, banning the production, reproduction, publication, and distribution of military secrets, classified defense industry data, or any unpublished information.

This move indicates the CCP's desperate attempt to block reports of internal military struggles. However, if Zhao Lanjian’s latest report proves to be true, it would not only bolster his credibility but also demonstrate that the CCP's censorship efforts have failed.

The world is changing rapidly. Recently, the disputes between former U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have been broadcast live globally, showcasing America’s openness and confidence. In stark contrast, the CCP’s authoritarian regime is growing ever more secretive and fragile. Perhaps one day in 2025, Xi Jinping will suddenly fall from power, the Communist Party will vanish from China, and the world will only react after a moment of shock, exclaiming: "China has changed overnight!" 

(Dajiyuan)