Xi Faces Severe Political Crisis as Trusted Loyalists Break Down Mentally

Image: During the March 2024 Two Sessions, Xi Jinping was photographed by foreign media in the Great Hall of the People with an expression of extreme pain while drinking tea.

[People News] Rumors of internal power struggles at the top of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are intensifying, placing Party leader Xi Jinping in a grave political crisis. According to sources within the system, the situation includes the emergence of civilian "grey organizations," an alliance of opposing factions within the Party against Xi, and the purge of core figures from Xi's faction within the military.

Ministry of Public Security Alert: Surge in Civilian Grey Organizations

Australian-based legal scholar Yuan Hongbing cited an internal reference document issued by the Ministry of Public Security to provincial and ministerial-level officials in early April 2025. It reported a massive surge in grassroots "grey organizations" nationwide in the first quarter of the year. These include groups such as alumni associations, veterans’ clubs, and migrant worker mutual aid groups, drawing serious attention from authorities.

The ministry emphasized in the report that these gatherings widely express dissatisfaction with current Chinese society and political governance. It warned that if the U.S.-China tariff war escalates and the economy further declines, these grey organizations "are likely to transform into political organizations that pose a significant threat to social stability."

Left and Right Factions in the Party Unite Against Xi

Beyond social instability, Xi Jinping also faces challenges from two powerful factions within the CCP. While traditionally opposed to each other, these factions have found rare common ground in opposing Xi’s current political direction.

Yuan Hongbing told The Epoch Times that the so-called “Princeling” faction, led by Deng Pufang and Chen Yuan, is calling for a return to Deng Xiaoping’s policy of reform and opening-up. They argue that Xi has abandoned Deng's diplomatic strategy of “keeping a low profile,” leading to crises in both the economy and foreign relations. The faction harshly criticizes Xi's policies and is pushing for a correction of the current course.

On the other side is the far-left Maoist faction. This group maintains its presence through legally existing entities like the "Red Song Club" and the "Mao Zedong Thought Research Association," advocating for a return to Cultural Revolution-style policies. They criticize Xi for "surrendering to imperialism," which they believe has brought about the current turmoil.

Despite their ideological differences, Yuan says, the two factions have formed a kind of "strategic alliance" based on their shared opposition to Xi’s leadership.

Sources reveal that both factions are preparing major political documents, expected to be released before 2026, with the goal of "preventing Xi Jinping from continuing his term at the 21st Party Congress" and seizing control over the political direction.

Xi’s Military “Iron Triangle” Collapses: 1,300 Officers Exposed

The most shocking developments are in the military. He Weidong, the third-ranking figure in the Chinese military and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, has not appeared publicly since the closing of the National People’s Congress on March 11. On April 10, the Financial Times cited multiple sources stating He had been dismissed and is under investigation. He was part of what was known as Xi's military “Iron Triangle,” alongside former Political Work Department chief Miao Hua and Xi’s top aide Zhong Shaojun.

All three have now either been investigated or marginalized, a clear sign that Xi's base of power within the military is suffering severe damage.

Miao Hua, who once managed military personnel under Xi, was placed under investigation in November last year, but no further official action has been announced to date.

Yuan Hongbing cited internal sources saying that on the very first day of Miao’s detention, he suffered a complete mental breakdown, stayed up all night, and made frenzied confessions—initially implicating over 80 military personnel. With the cooperation of three secretaries, the number of those exposed later ballooned to 1,300 military officers, including nearly 100 generals and lieutenant generals, many of whom were promoted directly by Xi or his loyalists.

Political commentator Cai Shenkun recently noted on his personal media channel that the military anti-corruption campaign has occurred in two phases: it initially targeted Zhang Youxia, but by April, it was focused entirely on Xi’s own trusted circle.

Yuan added that after listening to Miao Hua’s confessions, Xi "turned white overnight," underscoring just how extensive and unexpected the purge of his military faction has become. 

(Reported by Cheng Mulan and Luo Ya, Dajiyuan)