China’s National People’s Congress Convenes; Zhang Youxia Becomes the Focus of Attention

On March 5, 2021, the day before the opening of China‘s National People‘s Congress (NPC), police patrol Tiananmen Square with dogs on a day of heavy air pollution in Beijing. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images.)

[People News] The 21st meeting of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) opened in Beijing on the afternoon of February 25. The meeting reviewed “relevant personnel appointment and dismissal proposals.” Whether these involve Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), who recently fell from power, has drawn outside attention.

According to a report by state media Xinhua News Agency, one of the key tasks of this Standing Committee meeting was to prepare for the 4th Session of the 14th National People’s Congress, scheduled to open on March 5. The meeting reviewed a draft work report of the NPC Standing Committee, as well as three proposals submitted by the Chairperson’s Council regarding the draft agenda for the 4th Session of the 14th NPC, the proposed list of members of the Presidium and Secretary-General, and the proposed list of non-voting participants. It also reviewed a report on the work of legal clean-up and on the handling of relevant laws and decisions.

The meeting also heard a report by Yang Xiaochao, Director of the NPC Standing Committee’s Credentials Committee, regarding the qualifications of certain deputies. In addition, it reviewed “relevant personnel appointment and dismissal proposals.”

Whether the reviewed dismissal proposals involve Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CMC who was suddenly removed not long ago, and CMC member Liu Zhenli, has become a focal point of public attention.

On January 24, China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang and Liu were under investigation. However, as of now, the NPC has not announced the removal of Zhang Youxia or Liu Zhenli from their positions as NPC deputies.

As of February 24, on Xinhua’s webpage titled “The 20th Central Leading Organs,” Zhang Youxia’s name and photo still appear on the list of “Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.” Under the “Central Military Commission” section, both Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are still listed. Information published by Xinhua indicates that Zhang and Liu have not officially fallen from power and still retain their posts.

The official NPC website also shows that, as of now, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli still hold their status as deputies to the National People’s Congress, both belonging to the PLA (including Armed Police) delegation.

There were earlier rumors that Xi Jinping suddenly removed Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli without support from the military. Moreover, the NPC Standing Committee—China’s highest organ of state power—did not announce their removal at an additional meeting held in early February. This has been interpreted as a sign that intense infighting continues at the top levels of the CCP, with no consensus yet reached on how to handle the two men.

A source close to Chinese political circles, Jin Zhe (pseudonym), recently told The Epoch Times that, according to his understanding, the military had submitted proposals to the NPC seeking the revocation of Zhang Youxia’s and Liu Zhenli’s NPC deputy qualifications and requested NPC approval.

He said that if such proposals were not submitted, there would have been little need to convene this NPC Standing Committee meeting, since it is customary for the Standing Committee to hold a routine meeting at the end of February to prepare for the annual “Two Sessions.”

China’s annual “Two Sessions” (the NPC and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference meetings) are scheduled to open in early March. Which officials who have fallen from power will be stripped of their NPC deputy or CPPCC member status is expected to be announced in the coming days.

On February 25, an X platform user known as “Wen Rui” posted: “On February 4, the NPC Standing Committee held an additional meeting. Many outside observers thought Zhao Leji would take action against Zhang Youxia, but the result stunned everyone. Its effect was that the NPC was signaling to the world that Xi Jinping’s arrest of Zhang Youxia was illegal. After being slapped like that, one can imagine how furious Xi must have been. If Xi still had full power and control, the NPC Standing Committee would have taken action against Zhang Youxia this time no matter what.”

“Wen Rui” also said: “Let’s imagine that if the NPC does not move against Zhang Youxia and the Politburo meeting ends inconclusively, then the Two Sessions will inevitably be filled with rumors and unease. People will speculate: Is Xi Jinping really losing control? The disastrous consequences of such speculation would send chills down Xi’s spine. The next three days are crucial. The direction of Xi’s power may no longer be concealable.”