Insider Report: Xi to Semi-Retire, Politburo Standing Committee to Expand to 9 Members

Rumours suggest Wen Jiabao, Hu Jintao, and Hu Deping (from left to right) are in charge of China. (Image by People News)

[People  News] Rumours have been swirling about Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping losing control over the military and whether he will retire or semi-retire at the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session. Speculation is rife over who will succeed him. The movements of senior CCP officials are under intense scrutiny, sparking various analyses and conjectures.

Multiple versions about Xi's successor have been circulating overseas, with Wang Yang, Hu Chunhua, and Ding Xuexiang all named as contenders. Hu Chunhua's increasingly high-profile appearances have fueled speculation.

On the morning of June 23, the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing. The agenda focused on "further deepening economic system reform." Vice Premier He Lifeng attended and gave a report, Vice Chairman Hu Chunhua presided over the opening ceremony, and CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning was present.

It’s widely known that "economic system reform" was a policy proposed by Deng Xiaoping. Over Xi Jinping’s nearly 12-year rule, there has been a marked shift back to Mao-style planned economy policies, which have been criticised externally as “going backwards.” The prioritization of economic reform at this meeting indicates that the top leadership is beginning to reject and reverse Xi's policies, lending credence to rumors that Xi has lost control over major affairs.

In fact, since last year, the fierce power struggle within the top CCP leadership has become increasingly public. According to sources cited by The Epoch Times, Xi Jinping currently remains nominally in power, but in reality, his influence has waned significantly—his authority stripped, reduced to a mere figurehead. Now, the key figures influencing the regime are Wen Jiabao, Zhang Youxia, and others. Though Xi still makes public appearances, they are reportedly staged by the CCP leadership, who instruct him on what to say and do.

As a result, significant interest surrounds the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CCP Central Committee, where major personnel changes are expected. Many political commentators predict Xi Jinping might announce his retirement at this meeting. Rumours abound.

On June 24, Chinese economist and commentator Su Xiaohe, based in the U.S., said on his personal channel that,t according to insider information from Beijing, Xi Jinping will make a move at the Fourth Plenary Session. Reportedly, he may announce a semi-retirement or "one-third retirement," meaning he would step down as CCP General Secretary while retaining the title of President until the 21st Party Congress. Military authority has already been handed to Zhang Youxia, and Xi is now a powerless commander-in-chief. To better control Xi, Hu Jintao reportedly opposed removing his military position entirely, as that would amount to soft detention. Zhang Youxia is now the First Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and has also joined the Politburo Standing Committee. The Standing Committee will expand from 7 to 9 members.

As for the other positions, sources in Beijing say that Chen Jining, aligned with Hu Jintao, may become Premier. Li Qiang will become Chairman of the National People’s Congress, and Cai Qi will be Chairman of the CPPCC. Wang Huning will be dismissed. The Politburo Standing Committee will expand from 7 to 9 members.

Su Xiaohe considers this latest rumour relatively credible.

He said this information aligns with common political logic—Zhang Youxia and Hu Jintao wouldn't completely oust Xi. They must maintain CCP stability. Completely removing Xi from all positions would cause chaos. During Jiang Zemin's era, Liu Huaqing served as the First Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and was also a Politburo Standing Committee member. Liu, a Deng Xiaoping loyalist, helped keep Jiang Zemin in check, ensuring a smooth power transition to Hu Jintao.

Su added that Xi is expected to fully retire by the 21st Party Congress. This fuels speculation about who will succeed him as General Secretary. Currently, the frontrunners include Hu Chunhua, Wang Yang, Chen Jining, and Ding Xuexiang. Su personally believes Ding Xuexiang has the best chance, as he is already a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. Chen Jining, being Hu Jintao’s ally, is slated to become Premier. Cai Qi will serve as CPPCC Chairman, and Wang Huning will be completely ousted. △