Out of Control! Hu Jintao Refuses to Attend, Peng Liyuan is Blocked, and Xi Jinping Sheds Tears

Xi Jinping appeared to walk with difficulty during his visit to France. (Video screenshot)

[People News] The funeral of Xu Qiliang, former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, appeared to pass quietly, but it actually concealed a fierce struggle between the anti-Xi faction and the Xi faction within the Communist Party. This power struggle shifted from Zhongnanhai to Babaoshan, where another dramatic scene unfolded at Xu Qiliang's memorial service.

Jiang Feng, the host of the program 'Jiang Feng's Perspective', described that the farewell ceremony for Xu Qiliang was originally intended to be a grand reunion within the party, with old leaders taking their final bows and the new faction making their statements. However, the situation spiralled out of control: 'Hu Jintao refused to attend, Peng Liyuan was advised against appearing, and Xi Jinping shed tears alone in front of the spirit.'

Xu Qiliang's main path to promotion occurred during Hu Jintao's administration. In 2004, after Jiang Zemin was forced to resign from the position of Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Hu Jintao took over, but the real power in the military remained in the hands of the two Vice Chairmen of the Military Commission, Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, who were promoted by Jiang. Additionally, Hu was constrained by Jia Tingan, the then Director of the Military Commission Office and a close aide of Jiang.

In 2007, after Jia Tingan stepped down from his position as Director of the Military Commission Office, Hu Jintao began to cultivate his own influence within the military. Xu Qiliang, who had actively pledged loyalty to Hu Jintao while serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, was promoted and rose through the ranks.

On the eve of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, Xu Qiliang once again expressed his loyalty to Hu Jintao, stating that Hu's speech 'provided us with basic guidelines and action directives', and that he would follow Hu's instructions to strengthen military construction, among other tasks. Before handing over power to Xi Jinping, Hu Jintao appointed Xu Qiliang to the position of Vice Chairman of the Military Commission.

A report by Xinhua News Agency on June 8 stated that during Xu Qiliang's illness and after his passing, comrades including Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng, and Hu Jintao visited him in the hospital or expressed their deep condolences in various ways to honor Comrade Xu Qiliang and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to his family. 

The report indicates that Hu Jintao had interactions with Xu Qiliang and his family during his illness and after his death, making it expected for him to attend Xu Qiliang's funeral. 

Economic scholar Su Xiaohe revealed that Xi Jinping aimed to use Xu Qiliang's funeral to convey a message to the outside world, suggesting that Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping had reconciled, thereby showcasing a stable and united front. However, Hu Jintao did not acquiesce and chose not to attend. 

Rumours circulating within the Beijing political circles suggest that Xi Jinping was genuinely emotional and shed tears at Xu Qiliang's funeral. Xu Qiliang passed away at the age of 74, while Xi Jinping is already 72; he feels that his time is limited and displayed significant sorrow when viewing the body. 

Why did Hu Jintao choose not to appear? Jiang Feng interpreted this as not only a sign of Hu Jintao's intention to sever ties with Xi Jinping but also as a strategic move to create a dignified absence. His strategy appears to be preserving Xi Jinping's nominal title as President while dismantling his overly concentrated power structure and establishing a new balance within the military and political systems to prevent an organisational-level implosion, ensuring that the precarious ship of the Communist Party of China does not capsize.

Recently, rumours circulated that Xi Jinping sought the approval of the elders to allow him to "resign gracefully," which was endorsed by figures like Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. However, Zhang Youxia insisted that Xi Jinping should resign from all his roles as General Secretary of the Party, President of the State, and Chairman of the Military Commission simultaneously. Zhang Youxia fears that if Xi Jinping is given any leeway today, he may attempt a comeback tomorrow.

Why did Peng Liyuan not attend Xu Qiliang's funeral? CCTV footage revealed that not only was Peng Liyuan absent, but her name was also missing from the wreath. Su Xiaohe remarked that as Xi Jinping's wife and a full-time member of the Central Military Commission's Cadre Evaluation Committee, Peng Liyuan should have naturally attended the funeral. However, she was prevented from doing so by individuals close to Hu Jintao, who forbade her attendance.

It is reported that during Xi Jinping's military reforms, Xu Qiliang, in a bid to curry favour with Xi, recommended Peng Liyuan for the position of a full-time member of the Central Military Commission's Cadre Evaluation Committee. Xu Qiliang also approved the list of recommendations for her.

Jiang Feng noted that Xu Qiliang served as the military liaison for Xi's family. He facilitated Zhong Shaojun's introduction to Zhongnanhai, which allowed Peng Liyuan to attain the unusual role of a personnel expert within the Military Commission. Now that this connection has been severed, Zhong Shaojun has been marginalised, and Peng Liyuan has also been advised to withdraw. With Xu Qiliang's unexpected passing, the entire framework of Xi Jinping's wife's personnel connections has crumbled.

This may explain why Xi Jinping was seen shedding tears in private at Xu Qiliang's funeral! △

(First published by the People News)