A "Disappeared" List That Dazzles the Eye—What Does It Reveal?

On March 5, 2023, CCP leaders attended the opening session of the National People's Congress.

[People News] The disappearance of numerous high-ranking Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials from the government, military, and political circles has become a striking phenomenon in China’s political landscape. Over the past two years, exactly which senior CCP officials have "disappeared"? How should these disappearances be interpreted? This article explores these questions.

1. Which Senior Government and Military Officials Have "Disappeared"?

At the recently concluded National People's Congress (NPC) session, several high-ranking officials were notably absent, including NPC representative and Political Commissar of the Navy Yuan Huazhi, NPC representative and Commander of the People's Armed Police Wang Chunning, NPC Standing Committee member and former chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Xu Dazhe, and NPC Standing Committee member and former chief engineer of China National Nuclear Corporation Luo Qi. These four officials have all "disappeared."

Additionally, former Army Political Commissar and General Qin Shuthong, who is not an NPC representative, also "disappeared" along with Yuan Huazhi and Wang Chunning.

According to the report from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) at its Fourth Plenary Session, 92 senior officials were placed under investigation in 2024. However, only 58 names were publicly disclosed on the CCDI website. This leaves 34 officials unaccounted for—they, too, have "disappeared."

Similarly, in 2023, the CCDI’s Third Plenary Session reported that 87 senior officials had been placed under investigation, but only 45 names were published. This means 42 officials remain unaccounted for.

In total, 76 senior officials have "disappeared" between 2023 and 2024.

In both years, the CCP announced the removal of several high-ranking military officers from their positions as NPC representatives. Among them were: Three Generals (Shangjiang, 上将):Zhou Yanning (former second commander of the Rocket Force); Li Yuchao (former third commander of the Rocket Force); Ding Hanghai (former commander of the Air Force). Nine Lieutenant Generals (Zhongjiang, 中将): Zhang Zhenzhong (former deputy commander of the Rocket Force and deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission); Li Chuanguang (former deputy commander of the Rocket Force); Sun Jinming (former chief of staff of the Rocket Force); Zhang Yulin (former deputy director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission); Ju Xinchun (former deputy director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission and former commander of the Southern Theater Command Navy); You Haitao (former deputy commander of the Army); Li Pengcheng (former commander of the Southern Theater Command Navy); Deng Zhiping (former deputy commander of the Army);Li Zhizhong (deputy commander of the Central Theater Command). Three Major Generals (Shaojiang, 少将): Lü Hong (former head of the Rocket Force Equipment Department); Rao Wenmin (former deputy director of the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission); Li Tongjian (former deputy head of the Rocket Force Equipment Department).

These 15 high-ranking officers were removed from their NPC positions due to suspected serious violations of discipline and law. However, neither the CCDI nor the military discipline commission has officially announced investigations into them. There has been no information on when they were investigated, what specific violations they committed, how much money was involved in corruption charges, whether they were referred to judicial authorities, or if they were sentenced. Currently, all 15 generals remain in a state of "disappearance."

Additionally, Rocket Force Deputy Commander Liu Guangbin and former Deputy Commander of the Strategic Support Force and Commander of the Aerospace Systems Department Shang Hong have also "disappeared."

On June 27, 2024, the CCP announced that former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu—both former members of the Central Military Commission and State Councilors—had been investigated, expelled from the Party, and handed over to judicial authorities. However, the amount of money they allegedly embezzled and whether they have been sentenced remains undisclosed. Both remain in a state of "disappearance."

On July 18, 2024, the communiqué from the CCP’s 20th Third Plenary Session revealed for the first time that former Rocket Force Chief of Staff Sun Jinming had been expelled from the Party for serious violations of discipline and law. However, there was no mention of when he was arrested, what crimes he committed, how much he allegedly embezzled, or whether he was handed over to judicial authorities. Sun Jinming, too, is now "disappeared."

In November 2024, the CCP Ministry of National Defense announced that Central Military Commission (CMC) member and director of the Political Work Department General Miao Hua was under investigation for serious violations of discipline. He has since "disappeared."

In December 2023, Canadian think tank Cercius Group, which specializes in Chinese elite politics, reported that around 70 individuals connected to the Rocket Force had been taken away for investigation. Most of them were not officially named by the CCP and remain "disappeared."

Since Miao Hua was responsible for the promotion and selection of high-ranking military officers, his downfall suggests that many senior officers he promoted, including Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning, and Qin Shuthong, may also be implicated. However, the CCP has not disclosed their names. This group of senior officers has also "disappeared."

In 2023 and 2024, several executives from China’s defense industry were stripped of their positions as members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), including: Wu Yansheng (former chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation); Liu Shiquan (former chairman of China North Industries Group Corporation); Wang Changqing (former deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation);Wang Xiaojun (former president of China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology); Xiao Longxu (former chief engineer of the Rocket Force Equipment Research Institute).

Wu Yansheng, Liu Shiquan, Wang Xiaojun, and Xiao Longxu have since "disappeared."

Yuan Jie, the former chairman of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, and Chen Guoying, the former general manager of China North Industries Group, have had their positions filled by others and are currently reported as 'missing'.

Zhang Hongwen, who was the former deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation and later served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee and secretary of the Hefei Municipal Committee, along with Jin Zhuanglong, the former deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation who later became the Minister of Industry and Information Technology, have both been dismissed and are also considered 'missing'.

On January 18, the official website of China Aviation Industry Corporation removed the resumes of general manager Hao Zhaoping and deputy general manager Yang Wei, indicating their dismissal, but their current whereabouts are unknown, placing them in a state of 'missing'.

Wen Gang, the former chairman of China Shipbuilding Group, and Du Gang, the former deputy secretary of the Party Leadership Group of China Shipbuilding Group, have had their positions taken over by others. Both are now reported as 'missing'.

On October 25 of last year, Caixin reported that Chen Zhaoxiong, the former chairman of China Electronics Technology Group, and Wu Manqing, the former general manager of the same group, were taken away by authorities for investigation, although this news was quickly retracted. They are also considered 'missing'.

Following the dismissal of Liu Cangli, the president of the China Academy of Engineering Physics, and his deputy, Mo Zeyao, both have also been reported as 'missing'.

Additionally, there are two other high-ranking officials who are 'missing': one is Qin Gang, the former State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Since his last public appearance on June 25, 2023, Qin Gang has been dismissed from his roles as Foreign Minister and State Councilor, and has resigned from his positions as a representative in the National People's Congress and a member of the Central Committee. As of now, Qin Gang remains in a state of 'missing'.

Rumors have circulated that Qin Gang is dead. Gao Zhikai, who claims to be a friend of Qin Gang and previously served as a translator for Deng Xiaoping, stated in an interview with foreign media, 'You will never see him again.' The status of Qin Gang—whether he is dead or alive—remains a mystery.

Another notable case involves Liu Yashu, the son-in-law of former Chinese President Li Xiannian, who served as the political commissar of the National Defense University and was an Air Force general. Reports from Hong Kong and foreign media indicate that Liu Yashu has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Chinese Communist Party authorities due to serious corruption issues.

However, details surrounding Liu Yashu's arrest remain unclear. When was he detained? When was he expelled from the Party and the military, and stripped of his general rank? What specific charges led to his conviction, and what was the length of his sentence? The Chinese Communist Party has not provided any information to the outside world.

2. What Do the Disappearances of These High Officials Indicate?

The disappearances of these high-ranking officials from the party, government, and military, as well as from major state-owned military enterprises, are not trivial matters that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can easily downplay or allow to be overlooked. Instead, they represent significant issues that could impact the future and fate of the CCP. In my opinion, these disappearances highlight at least four key points:

First, CCP leaders are concerned about accountability.

Most of the high-ranking officials who have 'disappeared' were personally promoted and entrusted by Xi Jinping.

Qin Gang is the youngest party and state leader who was personally and exceptionally promoted by Xi at an accelerated pace.

Wei Fenghe was the first senior general to be awarded the rank of general by Xi after he took over as Chairman of the Central Military Commission. He was the inaugural commander of the Rocket Force established following Xi's military reforms in 2015, a member of the Central Military Commission personally promoted by Xi in 2017, and the State Councilor and Minister of National Defense personally appointed by Xi in 2018. It can be said that Wei Fenghe is the leading figure in Xi's military faction, often referred to as the 'Xi family army.'

Miao Hua is even more of a 'trusted confidant among confidants' in Xi's military. After being personally promoted by Xi in 2017 to become a member of the Central Military Commission and the Director of the Political Work Department, Miao Hua became a key player in Xi's 'political military building' and the most important assistant in selecting and appointing senior military leaders. He is also regarded as the 'top political commissar among political commissars' who oversees the military's commanders. If no unexpected events occur, Miao Hua is likely to be the leading candidate for promotion to a member of the CCP Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

All other high-ranking CCP officials mentioned above, at the level of deputy minister and above, must have Xi's approval to proceed.

As the highest leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), government, and military, Xi Jinping (Xi Jinping) holds the primary responsibility for the construction of party conduct and clean government, as outlined in the regulations issued by the Central Committee of the CCP and the State Council regarding the implementation of the responsibility system for party conduct and integrity.

Numerous high-ranking officials in the party, government, and military, who were personally promoted and trusted by Xi, have faced various issues shortly after the 20th National Congress of the CCP. According to the aforementioned regulations, Xi is primarily accountable for failing to identify capable individuals, making poor selections, improper personnel management, and ineffective supervision.

If these officials are processed according to standard case handling procedures and publicly announced one by one, it would create significant embarrassment for Xi. Furthermore, officials at all levels will be observing how Xi leads in taking responsibility for the construction of party conduct and clean government, a situation he is reluctant to confront.

Additionally, the internal power struggles within the CCP are sharp and intense.

Not long after the conclusion of the 20th National Congress, the first high-ranking official to be dismissed was Foreign Minister Qin Gang (Qin Gang). It is widely known that Qin Gang is a close confidant of Xi Jinping. While his downfall appears to target him directly, it is, in fact, aimed at Xi Jinping. This represents a strong counterattack from the anti-Xi factions within the foreign affairs system, placing Xi in a very uncomfortable position.

Shortly after Qin Gang's dismissal, a major scandal erupted within the Rocket Force, quickly spreading to the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission and subsequently to large state-owned military enterprises.

Zhang Youxia (Zhang Youxia) was the first minister of the Equipment Development Department established after Xi's military reforms in 2015. Prior to that, from 2012 to 2015, Zhang Youxia served as the minister of the General Equipment Department of the Central Military Commission. Li Shangfu (Li Shangfu) succeeded Zhang Youxia as the second minister of the Equipment Development Department. Li Shangfu and other trusted personnel in the Equipment Development Department were all former subordinates of Zhang Youxia.

Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, has taken decisive action against Li Shangfu, a former subordinate of Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, along with his associates, highlighting an internal power struggle between Xi and Zhang.

This internal conflict reached a peak in the latter half of 2024, resulting in a significant reduction of Xi's military authority. Several of Xi's trusted aides in the military have been reassigned from critical positions. For instance, Zhong Shaojun, Xi's chief aide and Director of the Office of the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, was removed from his post. Additionally, Chen Guoqiang, who was a key assistant in Xi's efforts to purge political rivals and served as the full-time Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission and Deputy Director of the Central Military Commission's Supervision Commission, was also reassigned. Others, like Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Political Work Department, have been dismissed altogether.

Moreover, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is increasingly worried about the potential for a military uprising.

During Jiang Zemin's time as Chairman of the Central Military Commission, or when Jiang's allies, Politburo member and Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, effectively sidelined Hu Jintao, the level of corruption within the CCP military was alarming.

Before his death, Xu Caihou remarked to investigators that Guo Boxiong's issues were far more severe than his own. Liu Yuan, the son of former CCP Chairman Liu Shaoqi and a general, once stated that the problems associated with Zhang Yang, the first Director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission following Xi's military reforms in 2015, were even more serious than those of Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong.

The extent of the embezzlement by Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, and Zhang Yang remains undisclosed by the CCP.

Phoenix Weekly previously reported on the investigators' search of Xu Caihou's opulent basement, where they discovered over a ton of cash alone, not to mention an uncountable amount of gold, silver, and jewels. Ultimately, investigators had to summon more than a dozen military trucks to transport everything away.

Following the downfall of military 'big tigers' like Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, and Zhang Yang, a new group of military 'big tigers' has emerged, including Li Shangfu, Wei Fenghe, and Miao Hua. The amount of money they embezzled could be astronomical for grassroots officers and ordinary citizens.

The revelation of the corruption among these military 'big tigers' could leave ordinary citizens, particularly those at the grassroots level, utterly shocked. If mishandled, it could potentially lead to a military uprising.

Fourth, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does not represent the Chinese people.

The CCP consistently asserts that it 'represents the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the Chinese people' and promotes a concept of 'whole-process democracy.'

A fundamental aspect of democracy is ensuring that the Chinese people have the right to know.

For instance, consider the case of the Rocket Force. What is the Rocket Force? Established after Xi Jinping's military reforms in 2015, the Rocket Force is a new military branch responsible for launching medium-range, long-range, and intercontinental missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. It serves as Xi's key asset in preparing for the military unification of Taiwan and deterring the United States, which Xi describes as 'the core force of China's strategic deterrence, the strategic support for China's status as a great power, and a crucial cornerstone for maintaining national security.'

However, all three of the Rocket Force's commanders—first, second, and third—have been implicated in serious corruption. When the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam is crooked. How many serious corrupt individuals exist within the Rocket Force from top to bottom?

How much of the hard-earned money of Chinese taxpayers have these serious corrupt officials embezzled? How much have they wasted? Have they sold the secrets of the Rocket Force to foreign entities? After years of Xi's anti-corruption campaign, why do they continue to engage in corruption? Can the Rocket Force, led by these three corrupt officials, truly defend the nation? How did they become representatives of the National People's Congress? Who do they actually represent?

These are critical political and legal issues that directly affect the Chinese people.

Yet, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has concealed all these matters in a 'black box,' keeping them almost entirely hidden from the public. This is not 'whole-process democracy'; it is 'whole-process keeping the Chinese people in the dark,' a situation so opaque that one cannot see their hand in front of their face.

Why is this the case?

Because the CCP does not represent the fundamental interests of the Chinese people; it only serves the narrow private interests of its own power elite. To protect these interests, the CCP is willing to deceive, mislead, and confuse the Chinese populace. Any truth that the Chinese people seek to know is systematically withheld by the CCP.

In conclusion,

As we approach the year 2025, why are so many high-ranking officials in the CCP's political and military spheres reported as 'missing'? Ultimately, this reflects a serious political crisis within the CCP.

In the past, there was a saying in China that the people could not make a living; now, there is a saying that officials cannot make a living. Regardless of your rank, whether you are a member of the Central Military Commission, a State Councilor, or the Minister of Defense, if the CCP authorities declare you 'missing,' then you must indeed be 'missing.'

In a situation where numerous high-ranking party, government, and military officials have 'disappeared,' who is safe within the CCP system? The answer is: no one is safe. 

(Dajiyuan)