Was Wen Jiabao's Appearance Deliberately Orchestrated?

Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

[People News] On March 29, a video featuring former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visiting the Institute of Geography at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing gained significant attention online, effectively dispelling the doubts that emerged following the release of related photos two days earlier.

The video was recorded after Wen Jiabao exited the gates of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It seems that individuals were intentionally positioned on both sides of the entrance; upon leaving, Wen Jiabao noticed the crowd, waved to them, and then approached the group, greeting those behind him with a clasped-hand gesture. A member of the crowd called out a greeting to Wen Jiabao.

The footage reveals that despite his full head of white hair, Wen Jiabao appears to be in good spirits, accompanied by several individuals who seem to be bodyguards and officials from relevant departments. After engaging with the crowd, he was escorted to a vehicle with a license plate starting with VA.

The video shows that Wen Jiabao's convoy consisted of about four vehicles, two of which had license plates beginning with VA, along with a Hongqi sedan bearing the license plate Jing A50698 and an Audi sedan with the license plate Jing C88018.

According to the regulations of the Chinese Communist Party, VA is the license plate designation for vehicles directly under the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, BA denotes the Beijing Military Region Command, SA signifies the Shenyang Military Region Command, LA represents the Lanzhou Military Region Command, and so forth.

The Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China has several key responsibilities, including operational command, intelligence analysis, communication support, military training, troop organisation, mobilisation planning, surveying, and international military cooperation. Additionally, it collaborates with the Central Guard Bureau to ensure the security of certain retired national leaders and senior military officials. This explains why Wen Jiabao was accompanied by two military vehicles during his visit to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Examining the other two non-military vehicles, the 京C license plate is clearly not typical, but according to protocol, Wen Jiabao should have been in a Hongqi car with a 京A license plate. In Beijing, early 京A plates (especially those with lower numbers) and specific combinations (like 京A8) are generally associated with party and government agencies, law enforcement, or high-ranking officials, often referred to as 'official cars' or 'vehicles of the elite.' It is possible that Wen Jiabao arrived in a Hongqi car and departed in a vehicle with a VA license plate, though it remains unclear whether this was for security reasons or other factors.

On the surface, it appears that Wen Jiabao still receives the privileges of a retired national-level leader and seems able to engage with the public. However, this situation gives off a sense of being staged. One of the most intriguing questions is whether the crowd gathered at the entrance of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was there spontaneously or if their presence was orchestrated. After all, the Communist Party could easily arrange for Wen Jiabao to have a discreet visit.

If these individuals are faculty and staff from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, why did they not welcome Wen Jiabao inside the academy but instead wait until he exited to 'perform'? If they came on their own after hearing about his visit, who informed them? Did the institution approve of their quiet presence there?

It is important to note that currently, all universities affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are compelling faculty and students to study Xi Jinping's achievements and demanding loyalty to him. While many are quite resentful of this initiative, they have become accustomed to submitting to authority under the CCP's high-pressure environment. Such gatherings are highly sensitive for all universities in Beijing and cannot occur without prior approval.

Additionally, amidst circulating rumours about Xi Jinping potentially suffering a stroke in 2024, as well as the influence of Wen Jiabao and the two Hus (Hu Jintao and Hu Chunhua), and the context of Xi regaining power after ousting Zhang Youxia, how many individuals would dare to gather to show support for Wen Jiabao? How many would be bold enough to shout 'Hello, Premier'? Are they not concerned about possible repercussions?

Moreover, as state media continues to showcase Xi's dominance, and numerous high-ranking officials begin to flatter and bow to him, how could the authorities permit such a scene to unfold?

The author posits that this is likely a carefully orchestrated performance, intended to counter the unfavourable 'rumours' circulating overseas regarding Wen Jiabao and his family's house arrest. This performance allows the international community to perceive that Wen Jiabao still possesses the freedom to act and receives the treatment he deserves. But is this the actual truth?

Undoubtedly, the arrangement of this performance indicates that while Xi has reclaimed certain powers, the pressures he faces both within the party and from external sources have not lessened, and he remains unable to act freely. This appearance of Wen Jiabao was likely intended to placate high-ranking officials within the party, including those who are retired. The exposure of photos and videos overseas, while domestic media remains silent, further supports the author's hypothesis. In other words, if Xi had truly returned to the pinnacle of power, such arrangements would be unnecessary.

(First published by People News)△