Xi Jinping Warns 'double-hearted Individuals' and Enforces Strict Checks on 'armed Representatives'

Image: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

[People News] The Beijing 'Two Sessions' continue, and the atmosphere in the conference hall is peculiar, filled with a sense of distrust. Three unusual trends are noteworthy. One is the 'disappearing Premier' alongside the 'assertive Wang Yi'; another is Xi Jinping's public ultimatum directed at 'double-hearted individuals'; and lastly, the imposing generals are subjected to 'searches' upon entry.

With the Premier's absence, Wang Yi takes centre stage

In the past, the highlight of the Two Sessions was the 'Premier's press conference', which was cancelled in 2024, leaving Premier Li Qiang without a moment to shine. This year, at the Two Sessions press conference, Foreign Minister Wang Yi took the spotlight in place of Li Qiang, commanding attention.

During the 90-minute press conference on March 8, Wang Yi single-handedly addressed 21 questions, covering topics from the situation in Iran to China-U.S. relations. The significance and scale of this press conference have effectively supplanted the traditional Premier press conferences of previous years.

Wang Yi's demeanour on stage was notably assertive; he made clear statements regarding the situation in Iran, China-U.S. relations, China-Russia strategic cooperation, and relations with Europe. Notably, on the issue of Japan, Wang Yi exhibited the most unreserved criticism of the event, posing three pointed questions that challenged Japan's right to interfere in Taiwan's affairs, using a very firm tone and leaving no room for diplomatic leniency.

This situation highlights an uncomfortable truth: Premier Li Qiang's influence is quickly diminishing. Reports suggest that during his reading of the government work report, Li Qiang intentionally skipped the phrase 'opposing hegemonism,' a direct reference to the United States, which has been interpreted as an effort to placate the U.S. and leave himself a way out. Within this power dynamic, Wang Yi has emerged as Xi Jinping's most trusted external 'mouthpiece,' while Li Qiang seems more like a bureaucrat struggling to find his footing.

Xi Jinping's warning to 'those with two hearts' raises questions about his audience.

During a recent meeting, Xi Jinping made a statement that heightened tensions. On March 7, while attending a meeting with the military delegation, Xi appeared quite serious and issued a stern warning: 'There must be no one in the military who harbours two hearts towards the Party.'

What does this mean? In the context of the Chinese Communist Party, 'those with two hearts' refers to individuals who outwardly conform but secretly engage in subversive activities and attempt to establish their own factions. Why did Xi Jinping choose to address this issue at this time? The answer lies in the significant turmoil among the military's senior leadership. Reports indicate that this year's National People's Congress has seen a historic drop in attendance, with over 300 representatives absent, a situation not seen since the Cultural Revolution.

Many of those who have 'disappeared' are high-ranking military generals. Notably, the rumoured ousted Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, and Military Commission member Liu Zhenli, while still listed, have not made any public appearances. Xi Jinping's reference to 'double-hearted individuals' serves as a final ultimatum to those 'Zhang Youxia types' within the military: anyone who dares to show disloyalty will be the next to be purged. This public acknowledgement of 'rebellious behaviour' within the military reveals his profound inner anxiety.

The requirement for generals to be 'searched' upon entry signifies a complete breakdown of trust.

The most striking and telling detail that illustrates this unease is the security checks that military representatives undergo when entering.

Picture this: senior military officers, who typically command authority in the barracks and wear stars on their shoulders, being encircled by a group of black-clad special police, 'three layers inside, three layers outside,' as they enter the Great Hall of the People. These officers in black use detectors to conduct thorough searches on the generals, with some even being asked to remove their military hats for inspection.

This treatment is a profound humiliation for professional soldiers. Why such rigorous searches? Simply put, Xi Jinping is fearful.

Since last year, numerous senior generals, including Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, have been investigated, and Xi Jinping's extreme distrust of the military has reached a critical point. Even in the seating arrangements at the event, military representatives have been intentionally distanced from him to mitigate any potential risks.

He is concerned that someone might bring weapons into the venue and that trouble could arise during the conference. This profound distrust of 'armed representatives' indicates that the relationship between the top leadership and military generals has reached a freezing point. Now, it is not just the attending representatives; even retired soldiers wishing to take photos in Tiananmen Square are subjected to thorough checks.

From this, we can discern a clear narrative: power is being reorganised, and distrust is on the rise. Wang Yi's ascension to power signifies a further consolidation of authority; meanwhile, Xi Jinping's warnings against 'double-hearted individuals' and the humiliating searches of military representatives reveal the regime's deepest fears.

(First published by the People News)
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