File photo: Plainclothes security personnel walk outside the Great Hall of the People during the opening ceremony of the National People&9;s Congress in Beijing, China, on March 5, 2024. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
[People News] The unexpected arrests of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli by Xi Jinping, accompanied by an urgent official announcement, have sparked systemic turmoil within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Currently, Zhongnanhai is under significant stress. Various signs suggest that the situation is still evolving, and there is considerable uncertainty about how events will unfold.
As of now, after the CCP's official public opinion system announced on January 24 the so-called five charges against Zhang and Liu for 'seriously trampling and undermining the responsibility system of the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission,' there has been a sudden silence. Major media outlets have refrained from launching large-scale public criticism or Cultural Revolution-style denunciations. The People's Daily has notably stood out, only publishing a report from Xinhua on the fourth page on the 24th, titled 'Ministry of National Defence Spokesperson Releases Information on Recent Military Issues and Answers Journalists' Questions.' On the 25th, the People's Liberation Army Daily did not publish any editorial regarding the five charges against Zhang and Liu. Additionally, various central party and government institutions, as well as departments of the State Council, have not voiced support for the decisions made by the Party Central Committee.
Particularly within the military system, the five major war zones have not had any military leaders publicly take a stand, and the various branches and services have also refrained from expressing support for Xi Jinping. Even more strangely, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's website has removed news about Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli being placed under investigation, while Zhang Youxia's half-body photo and name still appear on the lists of Politburo members on the official websites of Xinhua News Agency and the Central People's Government. The Ministry of National Defence's website has not yet taken down the profile of Zhang Youxia. Although the dismissal of members of the Central Military Commission and its vice-chairman must follow the procedures of the National People's Congress, and the dismissal of Central Committee members and alternate members must go through the procedures of the Communist Party's plenary session, Xi Jinping's sudden arrest of Zhang Youxia in a coup-like manner and the official announcement of this action, coupled with his inability to swiftly manage the aftermath, suggest that the military and the party are not united behind Xi.
Various signs indicate that Xi Jinping is now in a precarious position, unable to move forward or retreat. He initially believed he could swiftly eliminate the largest opposition faction within the military, but the situation is evolving in an unpredictable direction, posing a significant risk of regime collapse. Since Xi Jinping's appearance at a provincial and ministerial-level leadership seminar on January 20, six days have passed without any video of him appearing in party media. Rumours suggest that Xi is hiding in a bunker out of fear of a military coup, preparing for a scenario similar to that of Maduro.
Overseas political activist Ms Sheng Xue cited an informed source from within the country, revealing that Zhang Youxia has extensive connections within the military and systematic influence, leading to heightened tension within the military. To prevent internal chaos and unrest, Xi Jinping has already arrested over 5,000 individuals in the Beijing area for this reason.
On platform X, an account disclosed that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is engaged in secret arrests and even assassination operations within its ranks, involving entities such as the Langfang Army Missile Academy, the Nanjing Foreign Language Institute of the People's Liberation Army, and the Fujian Military District. The account further claimed that the CCP is conducting recall operations overseas targeting individuals previously linked to Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, exerting pressure on them to return to China through threats, intimidation, inducements, and even kidnapping. Reports indicate that at least 60 members of Zhang Youxia's family are living in Europe.
Simultaneously, the Wall Street Journal published an article on January 26, citing an insider from the CCP who stated that Zhang Youxia was arrested for allegedly leaking CCP nuclear secrets to the U.S. military. This report appears to be part of a coordinated series of actions by the CCP's overseas recall efforts, aimed at framing Zhang Youxia with a serious charge of treason while also capturing all his relatives abroad to prevent any future repercussions. This reflects a typical practice of punishing entire families for one individual's actions, effectively cutting off any potential threats.
On platform X, images reveal that starting January 24, numerous access points in Beijing have police checking everyone's identification for unclear reasons. Communities are also verifying tenant information. In the Fangshan district of Beijing, netizens reported that hundreds of military trucks, equipment, and troops are steadily advancing towards the city. Videos indicate that the entrance to the Shihe toll station in Changping, Beijing, has already barred vehicles from entering the city, and traffic on highways outside Beijing is sparse, with vehicles heading to Beijing receiving urgent messages to quickly exit the highway.
Even more strangely, an unclear video has surfaced on Douyin featuring an unidentified young man wearing sunglasses and a mask, who appears to be issuing orders to members of an organisation. The masked figure spoke in a low, clear voice, carefully articulating each word: 'Hello everyone, the organisation has dispatched personnel codenamed Youth to the Huadong 06 area to carry out the Cicada Capture Plan, please pay attention.' There are several similar short videos on Douyin, all showcasing masked young individuals. Such scenes, reminiscent of espionage thrillers, are quite rare on Douyin social media, adding to the already tense political atmosphere within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and suggesting that significant events may be imminent.
Xi Jinping's abrupt arrest of Zhang Youxia, carried out in the name of the Party Central Committee and under the guise of anti-corruption, blatantly violates and undermines the established legal procedures of the CCP. Essentially, this act represents a despicable coup for power, characterised by sudden arrests, preemptive official announcements, convicting individuals before presenting evidence, and followed by a sweeping military and political purge. While it may appear that Xi Jinping is reclaiming military authority through this maneuver, thereby laying the groundwork for his lifelong rule as established at the 21st National Congress, it actually signals the beginning of a death spiral for the CCP regime. Xi Jinping's petty vengefulness and dictatorial ambitions are glaringly evident. When he consolidates all power within himself, it marks the onset of his inevitable downfall. China is currently at a critical juncture where military and civil unrest are exceptionally active, and the regime's collapse could occur at any moment.
The People's Liberation Army Daily reported on January 25 that the Central Military Commission has recently issued the "Regulations on the Election Work of Party Organizations in the Army" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will come into effect on February 1, 2026. At present, the full text of the Regulations is not available online. In its overview of the Regulations, state media highlighted that "the Regulations adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era". These Regulations encompass the entire election process, including the selection of representatives, candidate nominations, voting procedures, and supervision mechanisms, with a particular focus on regulating elections from grassroots branches to committees at the regional level and above. It appears that Xi Jinping intends to reconstruct the military system through the lens of party building and organisational procedures, aiming to transform the Chinese Communist Party's military into a party-led army, or Xi's army. Conversely, Xi Jinping seems to recognise that the loyalty of high-ranking military officials has significantly shifted, rendering the party's command over the military ineffective. He is attempting to initiate a process of indoctrination and restructuring loyalty starting from the grassroots level of the military to ensure adherence to the principle of "the party commands the gun," which reflects Xi Jinping's deep concerns about regaining control over the military.
On January 26, Xinhua News Agency reported that the National Ministerial Conference on Social Work was convened in Beijing. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the Central Secretariat, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. The report opened by stating that Cai Qi emphasised the importance of 'adhering to Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance.' The Ministry of Social Work, established by the Communist Party of China in recent years, serves as a social control mechanism aimed at monitoring society, implementing the Fengqiao Experience, and reinforcing a system of soft violence for maintaining stability. Cai Qi's decision to hold this National Ministerial Conference on Social Work during such a sensitive period clearly indicates concerns that the downfall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli could trigger a societal chain reaction, potentially leading to significant social unrest and civil upheaval, which could threaten the Communist Party's regime.
The incidents involving Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are far from resolved, and the potential for military or civil unrest remains high.
(First published by People News) △
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