Li Qiang Meets with Russian Prime Minister, Another Anomaly: No Mention of Xi's Name

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's Profile Photo. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

[People News] In an article published yesterday titled "Xi Can No Longer Represent the 'Central Committee' in Sending Congratulations: Three Unusual Anomalies," the author highlighted several irregularities that have surfaced within the Communist Party of China (CPC) as the countdown to the Fifth Plenary Session begins. Notably, the situation involving Premier Li Qiang and Party Leader Xi Jinping stands out. In the news released on October 20 regarding Xi's congratulatory letter for the 70th anniversary of the Central Socialist Academy, three significant anomalies that diminish Xi's authority were clearly evident.

These anomalies are: First, Xi did not extend congratulations on behalf of the 'Central Committee' as he has traditionally done; second, the report did not mention who read Xi's congratulatory letter during the celebration, which is usually included; third, the title used by Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was reduced to simply 'General Secretary.'

On October 21, another unusual occurrence was noted. In the official media report of Li Qiang co-chairing the 31st regular meeting of Chinese and Russian Premiers with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in St. Petersburg, the most striking difference from previous reports was the complete absence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin's names throughout the article.

Li Qiang stated, 'The Chinese and Russian sides, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state,' and 'must adhere to the important consensus of the two heads of state...'. Consistent with previous reports, both sides agreed that 'the heads of state guiding the direction is a crucial guarantee for the steady development of China-Russia relations, and we must follow the important consensus of the two heads of state as our fundamental guideline.'

Why is this considered unusual? It can be compared to the regular meetings held over the past three years.

On November 3, 2025, the 30th regular meeting of the Chinese and Russian Prime Ministers took place in Hangzhou. At that time, state media from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reported, citing statements from Li Qiang, that 'President Xi Jinping and President Putin met twice this year, leading the high-level development of China-Russia relations.'

On August 21, 2024, the 29th meeting of the Chinese and Russian Prime Ministers was held in Moscow. During this meeting, CCP state media reported that Li Qiang remarked that in recent years, 'under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin.'

On December 9, 2023, the 28th regular meeting of the Chinese and Russian Prime Ministers was held in Beijing. At that time, CCP state media, while quoting Li Qiang, still referred to 'under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Putin.'

Li Qiang, who has spent many years entrenched in the CCP's officialdom, mentioned Xi Jinping's name in the three consecutive Prime Minister meetings. Why was it omitted in this year's meeting? This omission is significant. If Xi's position remains intact, and if he continues to hold real power within the party after the Fifth Plenary Session, this act would be a serious breach of protocol that Li Qiang cannot afford. Furthermore, considering Li Qiang's low-profile demeanour around Xi for many years, he must consistently demonstrate loyalty to Xi to secure his own position.

It is evident that Li Qiang, along with the CCP's senior leadership and state media, should be aware of the implications of their actions. Yet, they have repeatedly displayed unusual behaviour, which can only confirm one thing: there is a consensus within the CCP that significant personnel changes will occur at the Fifth Plenary Session, including Xi's imminent departure from the power centre; otherwise, the various unusual events of recent months would be inexplicable.

(First published by People News) △