On March 7, 2023, (from left to right) Cai Qi, Wang Huning, and Li Qiang at the Chinese Communist Party's National People's Congress. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)
[People News] While Xi Jinping was touring Yunnan and Guizhou with a head full of white hair—and amid widespread speculation that he has indeed lost control over the military due to the absence of any vice chairman of the Central Military Commission during his inspection of the Kunming garrison—Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath in Beijing on March 20.
Sihamoni and his 88-year-old mother, Monineath, had traveled to Beijing for a routine medical checkup, a practice they have maintained for years. According to their own statements, they consider China their "second homeland." In some years, they visit China more than once, primarily for rest and recuperation, and they even have their own palace in Beijing. Given the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) traditionally generous treatment of foreign “old friends,” it is highly likely that their expenses in China are fully covered.
During the meeting, Wang Huning’s remarks contained an unusual omission—he did not mention Xi Jinping by name at all. Instead, he only spoke in broad terms, stating that “under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new stage... China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with Cambodia.” Meanwhile, Sihamoni and Monineath expressed gratitude and “highly praised the important concepts and initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping.”
Since the news of Xi Jinping's stroke emerged after the Third Plenary Session last July, the statements from the senior leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have shown varying degrees of a softened stance towards Xi. However, Wang Huning, who has served through three administrations and has been known for promoting various dubious ideologies, is one of the few high-ranking officials who frequently invokes the loyalty phrase 'two four four two.' At the recently concluded Two Sessions, Wang Huning not only adhered to the prescribed script to praise Xi but also added his own comments, which were later removed by Xinhua News Agency. This clearly suggests that the individual controlling the current political landscape is not Xi, but someone far above Wang Huning, who is merely a member of the Standing Committee; otherwise, such directives could not be issued.
It remains unclear whether Wang Huning faced criticism for deviating from the prescribed script in his praise of Xi. However, during his recent meetings with Norodom Sihamoni and Monineath Sihanouk, Wang notably refrained from mentioning Xi at all, which may indicate underlying issues.
Over the past nine years, aside from Xi Jinping's meetings with Norodom Sihamoni and Monineath Sihanouk at Zhongnanhai in 2023, 2020, and 2017, other senior CCP officials have also met with them, consistently mentioning Xi in each of these encounters.
For example, on September 20, 2024, Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CCP and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with Norodom Sihamoni and Monineath Sihanouk in Beijing. Zhao Leji stated, 'President Xi Jinping and King Norodom Sihamoni jointly lead the construction of the China-Cambodia community of shared destiny into a new era of high quality, high level, and high standards,' rather than simply referring to them as 'the leaders of the two countries' as Wang Huning did.
On March 21 of the same year, Vice President Han Zheng met with two individuals in Beijing, stating that this was "under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the Cambodian leaders."
On September 15, 2022, then Vice President Wang Qishan attended a reception in Beijing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Norodom Sihanouk's birth, where he also referenced the interactions between Xi Jinping and Sihamoni, Monivong, and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
On April 4, 2019, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the two individuals, relaying the "cordial greetings and best wishes" from Xi Jinping and his wife, and mentioning Xi's advocacy for a community with a shared future for mankind.
In February 2018, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and State Councilor, met with the two individuals and conveyed greetings from Xi and his wife. In September, the Xi couple visited the two individuals who were recuperating in Beijing.
This means that as distinguished guests who have been received by Xi multiple times, if Sihamoni and Monivong find themselves in a situation where Xi cannot meet them, they typically meet with other senior officials of the Communist Party of China. These officials usually remember to convey Xi's greetings or refer to his leadership role. This is why it is strange that Wang Huning does not mention Xi's name.
The unusual behavior of a high-ranking official of the Communist Party, who has consistently praised Xi, suggests there is a reason behind it. Coupled with the absence of the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission accompanying Xi during his inspection of the Kunming troops, could there be a significant upheaval in Zhongnanhai?
(First published by the People's Daily)
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