On March 5, 2025, PLA delegates arrive at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to attend the opening of the National People's Congress. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
[People News] Personnel arrangements have garnered significant attention ahead of the Fifth Plenary Session of the Communist Party of China scheduled for October. Recently promoted deputy secretaries of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the incoming mayor of Shanghai, Zhu Zhongming, appear to be aligned with Li Qiang's faction. This raises the question: what is the background of Qin Yunbiao, who was officially announced as the Vice Minister of Public Security on September 9?
Examining Qin Yunbiao's background, he graduated from the China University of Political Science and Law and has spent a considerable amount of time working in the Political Department of the Guangxi Public Security Department, steadily advancing through the ranks. In 2010, he became the Deputy Director of the Office of the Guangxi Public Security Department, and subsequently held various positions including Political Commissar of the 27th Division of the Guangxi Public Security Department, Deputy Director of the Political Department and Director of the Personnel Department, and Political Commissar of the Traffic Police Corps. In 2016, he was promoted to Vice Mayor of Baise, Guangxi, where he also served as the Director of the Public Security Bureau, Secretary, and Inspector General. In 2021, he was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security as Political Commissar, and in June 2022, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau and Deputy Director responsible for daily operations.
In December 2024, Qin Yunbiao was promoted to Vice Mayor of Beijing, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, Director, and Inspector General (concurrently), as well as Deputy Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of the Municipal Party Committee (concurrently).
Typically, the position of the director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, often referred to as the 'Nine Gates Commander', is expected to be held by someone trusted by the leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC). For example, the CPC leader previously appointed his former associate from Fujian, Wang Xiaohong, to this role. Following the news of Xi's stroke in July 2024, there was a reshuffle in the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. Qi Yanjun, who was Wang Xiaohong's subordinate and served as the vice mayor of Beijing and director of the Public Security Bureau, was promoted to deputy minister responsible for daily operations at the Ministry of Public Security, while Qin Yunbiao succeeded him as director. Is he aligned with Xi's faction?
Examining Qin Yunbiao's promotion trajectory, it is clear that he was elevated before the current Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, took over the ministry. His move from Guangxi to Beijing suggests he must have received support from someone influential; otherwise, he would not have transitioned directly from a local public security bureau to the Ministry of Public Security. His path to promotion should mirror that of Wang Xiaohong. This is an undeniable fact under the one-party rule of the CPC.
So, who is Qin Yunbiao's 'benefactor'? Many speculate it is Guo Shengkun, who has ties to the Jiang faction and previously held positions as the Secretary of the CPC Political and Legal Affairs Commission and Minister of Public Security. Guo Shengkun served as the Deputy Secretary of Guangxi and Vice Chairman of the Regional Government from 2004 to 2007, then as Secretary of Guangxi from 2007 to 2012, before moving to Beijing, where he stepped down after the 20th National Congress of the CPC in 2022. However, there are also rumors online suggesting that Qin Yunbiao's support comes from Zhao Leji's brother, Zhao Leqin.
In 2007, after Zhao Leji became the top leader in Shaanxi, Zhao Leqin was appointed Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee in Hezhou City, Guangxi, in January 2008. In January 2010, he transitioned to serve as the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress in Chongzuo City. By February 2013, he had become the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress in Guilin.
During his time at the Guangxi Public Security Department, Qin Yunbiao built a relationship with Zhao Leqin, which facilitated his transfer to the Ministry of Public Security. He subsequently served as the deputy director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau. This background helps explain why he encountered no obstacles in becoming the director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau following Xi's incident in 2024.
Regardless of whether Qin Yunbiao's benefactor is Guo Shengkun, Zhao Leji, or someone else, he does not have a prominent affiliation with the Xi faction. In the realm of the Chinese Communist Party, maintaining balance is essential, and he would avoid offending Xi's supporters.
In September of this year, Qin Yunbiao received another promotion, taking on the roles of member of the Ministry of Public Security's Party Committee and vice minister, which is likely a result that all parties can accept. Following the promotion patterns of Wang Xiaohong and Qi Yanjun, it is quite possible that he will replace Qi Yanjun, who manages daily operations for the Xi faction. Does this development indicate that various factions within the CCP are preparing for Xi's 'retirement'?
(First published by People News) △
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