Xi Jinping’s Tibet Show Backfires, Wang Huning Steals the Spotlight

The landmark of Lhasa — the Potala Palace.

[People News] Xi Jinping arrived in Tibet on the afternoon of August 20 to attend the 60th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region. He left Tibet on the afternoon of the 21st and returned to Beijing. His brief two-day stay in Tibet was originally intended as a publicity stunt to show that he was in good health, but instead it backfired and exposed his weaknesses. At the celebration rally, CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning, as head of the central delegation, delivered the keynote speech, while Xi Jinping, the top leader, unusually did not speak.

At noon on August 20, Xi Jinping arrived in Lhasa, Tibet. In the CCTV footage, the scene of Xi standing at the aeroplane door waving to the crowd was very clear, but the footage of him descending the airstairs switched to a long shot, making it impossible to see exactly how he walked down.

In contrast, when Cai Qi, Wang Huning, Wang Xiaohong and other accompanying officials disembarked, the footage was shot up close, showing them walking down the stairs easily. In the video, the 70-year-olds Cai Qi and Wang Huning descended briskly and naturally on their own.

CCTV’s deliberate omission of Xi’s descent was seen as a cover-up, inadvertently confirming that the 72-year-old Xi is in poor physical condition and needs to hold onto the handrails to get down. Such footage, which would reveal the supreme leader’s health secrets, of course, could not be shown to the outside world.

Independent commentator Jiang Shenzhe analyzed on his YouTube program that Xi is suffering from a rather serious illness. “If the condition were not severe, with the medical treatment Xi enjoys, it would have long been cured,” he said.

“Therefore, Xi Jinping went to Tibet intending to demonstrate his good health, but instead exposed the truth—despite CCTV’s attempts to cover it up.”

According to state media, locals of all ethnic groups welcomed Xi with traditional ceremonies at the airport. In the CCTV broadcast, crowds were shown singing and dancing, with close-up shots of people shedding tears of joy.

Overseas writer and commentator Chen Pokong analysed in his program that this Tibet event was a Cultural Revolution–style staged welcome rally. Other than the front rows of Tibetans, many were Han Chinese impersonators, including CCP cadres and large numbers of plainclothes security agents mixed into the crowd.

As Xi walked on the red carpet, observers noted his bloated figure, sluggish movements, unsteady steps, frequent involuntary head shaking, swollen eyelids, and an overall sickly appearance.

Chen Pokong commented: “By custom, there was no need for Xi Jinping to make this trip to Tibet.”

In 2005, then Politburo Standing Committee member and CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin led the central delegation to Tibet’s 40th anniversary celebration.

In 2015, then Politburo Standing Committee member and CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng led the central delegation to the 50th anniversary celebration.

This year, the central delegation leader was Politburo Standing Committee member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning. But in CCTV reports, it was said that “Xi Jinping led the delegation to Tibet.”

On the morning of August 21, around 20,000 people gathered at Potala Palace Square in Lhasa for the celebration. CPPCC Chairman and central delegation head Wang Huning delivered the speech.

Chen Pokong said that Xi Jinping’s high-profile appearance in Tibet was an abnormal arrangement.

“As General Secretary, State President, and CMC Chairman, Xi was not the main speaker. This is the first time in Xi’s 13 years in power. The central delegation head Wang Huning gave the speech, but Xi did not deliver any major address. Everyone knows that whenever Xi attends such meetings, he always speaks—and it is always important.”

Chen analysed: “Rather than saying Xi made a high-profile appearance, one could say it was his final farewell—almost like a political ‘last light before death.’”

“His unusual appearance in Tibet suggests a farewell. The September 3 military parade will also serve as a farewell. That’s how I interpret it.”

On August 21, Xi returned to Beijing along with Cai Qi and other key officials. Wang Huning, however, remained in Tibet in his capacity as central delegation head, continuing to tour different parts of the region until August 23.

When CCTV broadcast Xi boarding the plane to return to Beijing, once again, there was no footage of him ascending the airstairs. In fact, if they truly wanted to demonstrate to the outside world that Xi was in good health, then openly showing him walking up and down the airstairs with ease would have been the best proof.

Recently, rumours have been circulating that Xi will announce retirement or semi-retirement at the Fourth Plenum due to health reasons. There is also talk that Xi himself does not want to step down voluntarily. △