Zhang Youxia on the Brink of Death from Hunger Strike: How Will Xi Explain to the Red Second Generation and Military Leaders?

Pictured: File photo of Zhang Youxia (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

[People News] Recently, political rumours have been swirling in Beijing. The most pressing concern centres on the fate of Zhang Youxia, the current Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, with reports indicating that he is in a perilous condition.

Xi and the Military in Irreconcilable Conflict

The confrontation between Xi Jinping and the military has escalated to a point of irreconcilable conflict. While this tension has not yet turned into actual armed conflict, the atmosphere in the realm of discourse and public opinion is charged with hostility.

Reports suggest that military-affiliated accounts have recently launched an aggressive campaign of 'high-level black' attacks. A notable instance is Xi Jinping's staged shopping for New Year's goods on the eve of the Chinese New Year. Military-related accounts not only published this photo but also deliberately circled the 'payment' area and labelled the accompanying 'Zhongnanhai bodyguard', mocking it as 'governing the country with spies'. This tactic has been described as 'low-level red, high-level black' by the propaganda system overseen by Cai Qi. This echoes a previous satirical remark about officials' misuse of public funds: 'The deputy mayor finally gets to eat mooncakes out of his own pocket', suggesting that after years of Xi Jinping's leadership, he does not even recognise the renminbi, relying solely on public funds and special provisions.

The most concerning signal is the recent silence from both party media and military newspapers regarding Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, with no mention of them at all. Analysts outside speculate that the Chinese Communist Party may be worried that each mention of their names could incite anger among military personnel, potentially leading to a rebellion. Since Xi Jinping took office, 25 generals have either been put on trial or have gone missing, including four vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission and two defence ministers. Xi Jinping is now hesitant to inspect military camps in the outskirts of Beijing, clearly indicating that the situation has reached a critical and dangerous point.

The fate of Zhang Youxia remains shrouded in mystery.

Let’s turn our attention to Zhang Youxia. Recently, American independent journalist Hu Liren, who has been consistently reporting on the Zhang Youxia case, revealed that Zhang's current situation is extremely precarious. He received information from Beijing stating that Zhang Youxia is currently detained at the Central Guard Bureau base located in the southern suburbs of Beijing, near Daxing Airport.

Even more alarming is the report that this general, in his 70s, is said to be on the verge of death and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment. Zhang Youxia, who hails from a military family, is known for his strong character. Reports suggest that he has remained defiant during his detention, even engaging in a prolonged hunger strike as a form of protest.

In contrast, another account comes from Australian independent journalist Jiang Wangzheng, who presents a different picture of Zhang Youxia's situation. According to Jiang Wangzheng, who received information from the Guangdong Provincial Committee, Zhang Youxia is under house arrest in Shenzhen, where both Xi Jinping's family and Zhang Youxia's family celebrated the New Year together this year.

The opaque nature of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) politics leaves the true situation unclear to the outside world, including whether Zhang Youxia is alive or dead. This mirrors the case of former Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, He Weidong, who was officially reported to have fallen from grace last year. He had not made any public appearances since the investigation against him began in March, with the announcement of his investigation coming in October. Rumours have circulated multiple times suggesting that he may have already died.

If Zhang Youxia is removed from power, will it lead to chaos within the military?

Zhang Youxia has been accused of 'seriously violating the responsibility system of the Chairman of the Central Military Commission.' In the CCP's political context, this is viewed as a direct challenge to the highest authority, akin to 'rebellion,' which is considered far more serious than typical corruption. In the totalitarian regime of the CCP, once a purge reaches this level, Zhang Youxia's fate is essentially predetermined; politically, he is treated as a 'living dead.'

However, Zhang Youxia's situation differs from that of He Weidong, as he belongs to the 'red second generation.' Among this group, there exists an unwritten rule: 'no bloodshed, no repercussions for children.' Former Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai, the second son of Bo Yibo—a founding figure of the CCP and former Vice Premier—was involved in a coup plot with former Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary Zhou Yongkang. Despite this, he was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption. This indicates that Zhang Youxia's fate is also linked to his red second-generation family, as it similarly concerns their safety.

Moreover, Zhang Youxia has spent many years in the military and holds a very high reputation, being seen as someone who cannot be touched. Reports suggest that active-duty military leaders are currently discussing a 'petition' to call for the release of both Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli.

If Zhang Youxia is indeed nearing death or has already passed away, the red second generation and military leaders will demand 'individuals' from Xi Jinping, who will then find himself in a predicament of being unable to provide anyone, thus entering a state of 'difficult to ride the tiger'.

Moreover, there is another alarming piece of news that keeps high-ranking officials awake at night. Reports suggest that the United States may have successfully recruited some officers from the Chinese Communist Party's military. This is particularly true for younger officers who have studied abroad and possess a clear understanding of the system; they are not swayed by the CCP's indoctrination. Should internal upheaval align with external pressures, it would undoubtedly pose a grave threat to Beijing.

(First published in People News)
△