Xi Jinping’s Power is Constantly Checked – Rumors of CCP Elders Overseeing Governance Are Not Unfounded

Wang Huning speaks at the CPPCC meeting, lavishly praising Xi Jinping. (Image by Qing Yu / People News)

[People News]

Zhongnanhai Confidential

Q: Zhao Leji has reappeared—wasn't he supposed to have health issues?

A: That’s right. His absence was merely an excuse to step away from the meeting due to serious disagreements with Xi. The Private Economy Promotion Law failed to pass because Xi did not want it to. From his perspective, China is preparing for a war to unify Taiwan, which requires new legislation granting him wartime martial law authority and the power to launch military actions. In other words, the war must be framed as the "will of the people," not Xi’s personal decision. Since war preparations could lead to martial law at any moment, the private sector would need to serve the war effort—contributing as required and producing whatever is demanded. So, what’s the point of passing a law to promote the private economy now?

Q: But hasn’t Xi been supporting the private economy?

A: Yes, which is why the authorities proposed the Private Economy Promotion Law. But when Xi reviewed it, he lost interest.

Q: Wang Huning, in his speech at the CPPCC meeting, lavishly praised Xi, saying, “Under Xi’s leadership, the scenery here is uniquely beautiful.” However, when People’s Daily and Xinhua News Agency reported on it, they removed those lines. Who dares to censor his remarks?

A: Indeed, some overt personal glorification was removed—because CCP elders overseeing governance are now playing a role. After Wang Huning’s speech, Zeng Qinghong called and asked, “Didn’t we already agree—no more personality cults? Did Xi personally invite you for Maotai?”

Wang Huning, embarrassed, admitted, “Yes, we drank two bottles of Maotai together near Yingtai. Xi wanted me to give him some face, say a few nice things to lift his spirits. So, I threw in some flattery at the meeting—it was both ‘high-level red’ and ‘high-level black.’”

After listening to Zeng’s advice, Wang Huning called Li Shulei and had some excessive phrases removed from the official reports.

Q: Is Zhao Leji aligned with Zeng Qinghong?

A: You could say that. Zhao rose from the northwest, which has a reserved seat in the Politburo Standing Committee. That seat was nominated by Song Ping. Of course, Zhao demonstrated loyalty to Xi, which is why Xi approved, and Zeng also supported him. Traditionally, the CCP leadership adhered to the principle of "five lakes and four seas" (regional balance in leadership) to ensure political stability. If top officials all came from a single region, it could destabilize the regime.

Right now, about half of the court is linked to Zeng. The key figures of the Jiang faction were appointed by Zeng, and even Xi’s early team was vetted by him. Zeng serves as both Xi’s protector and overseer, maintaining a delicate balance among the CCP’s upper ranks. Xi and Zeng’s control over the military is mediated through Zhang Youxia. In a sense, there is currently a dual-power system. Xi wants to re-centralize authority, but it’s extremely difficult. This time, Xi wanted Zhao Leji to push through secret legislation allowing immediate military action against Taiwan. After Zhao informed Zeng, Xi was displeased, and Zhao left the meeting. However, for the sake of high-level stability, Zhao quickly reappeared. Xi’s dream of ruling with absolute power is nearly impossible—his fellow Standing Committee members already see his downfall coming and no longer revere him as before.

Q: Do the elders and Standing Committee members oppose a war with Taiwan?

A: The elders definitely oppose it. They don’t want to spend their final years in a state of war. The Standing Committee members, under Xi’s pressure, outwardly cooperate but have clear red lines: Only if Taiwan declares independence can China enter a wartime state. If Taiwan is successfully united through political maneuvering, the CCP could take control without large-scale conflict. If the U.S. abandons Taiwan, just as it once abandoned the Kuomintang, military force could be used to seize it.

Q: Is Wang Huning in charge of United Front efforts?

A: Wang Huning and Wang Yi—these two oversee United Front work, and they have been quite effective. Look at Taiwan’s Kuomintang—it has been deeply infiltrated and is now very pro-Beijing. If the CCP actually attacks Taiwan, there’s a chance pro-CCP forces in Taiwan will rally in support. Additionally, 80 to 90 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America already back China’s "unification by any means" policy—only the UN’s formal endorsement is missing. Of course, Western nations can’t be won over, but Europe is useless—just look at Ukraine. It’s been ravaged by war, and Europe still can’t help it, let alone deal with China.

The U.S., however, cannot afford to lose Taiwan. If Taiwan falls, China will dominate the Indo-Pacific, including Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. The U.S. would be forced back to the Americas, and its global influence would collapse. The economic and strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific far outweighs that of other regions. Unless the U.S. is utterly defeated, it will never allow the CCP to seize Taiwan.

Xi is determined to unify Taiwan—there’s no doubt about that. He’s preparing for war every day. But securing full support from the top leadership? That’s a much tougher challenge.

That’s all for now. Publish this and let people treat it as a political drama.

(Wu Zuolai on X Platform)