Insiders Risk Their Lives to Disclose the Inner Workings of the Fifth Plenary Session; He Lifeng Is Rumoured to Be Under Investigation

Insiders risk their lives to disclose the inner workings of the Fifth Plenary Session; He Lifeng is rumoured to be under investigation (video)
 

[People News] On the second day of the Communist Party's Fifth Plenary Session, there were still no live broadcasts from the Beijing venue! How many Central Committee members were actually present? Did Hu Chunhua make an appearance? Just as the public awaited answers, another close ally of Xi Jinping was reported to be in trouble! Reports indicate that Vice Premier He Lifeng is now 'under investigation.' With a series of troubling developments emerging from Xi's inner circle, is this a sign that Xi Jinping is turning against his own, or is someone exploiting the anti-corruption campaign to target Xi's confidants?

What exactly transpired on the second day of the Fifth Plenary Session?

Hello, viewers, welcome to 'Hotspot Frontline,' I am Xiaokun.

On October 27, the 20th Central Committee's Fifth Plenary Session entered its second day, yet CCTV did not broadcast any images from the venue, and party media did not reveal any details about the meeting. So, what were the top leaders of the Communist Party doing on the 27th and 28th?

Following the conventions of previous Central Committee plenary sessions, after the opening, the meeting typically transitions into group discussions and document reviews. In addition to discussing work reports and draft decisions, significant personnel matters such as the replacement of Central Committee members and confirmations of party disciplinary actions may also be submitted for deliberation at the plenary session.

These personnel arrangements are usually prepared in advance but still require relevant procedures to be followed. As for which individuals are being dealt with and who will be replaced, the public often has to wait until the closing communiqué is released on the 29th to see the official outcomes.

While the official silence persists, news from inside the venue has begun to circulate overseas.

Are the seats of Central Committee members significantly reduced?

Former Inner Mongolia official Du Wen announced on the 27th that he received information about the situation at the venue from a source claiming to be present at the Fifth Plenary Session. According to Du Wen's account, this source took significant risks to share information under strict security and communication controls.

He described that the meeting was chaired by the Central Political Bureau, without the traditional podium setup. Approximately 21 members of the Politburo Standing Committee and other Politburo members were seated in a row directly opposite the central committee members, with Xi Jinping positioned in the center.

In addition to the central committee members and alternate central committee members, the attendees included personnel from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, heads of various ministries, provincial governors, and invited grassroots party representatives and experts. However, the most surprising detail was the number of individuals occupying the central committee seats.

Du Wen noted that the number of tables and chairs at the venue was similar to previous years, but the source estimated that only about 120 central committee members were present; including Politburo members, the total would be around 140. If Du Wen's claims are accurate, the attendance of central committee members at this Fifth Plenary Session is even lower than the 161 members previously estimated by the U.S. think tank Asia Society, potentially setting a new record low for attendance!

In contrast, there were about 140 alternate central committee members, whereas historically, central committee members have typically outnumbered alternate members significantly, highlighting a stark contrast this time.

Furthermore, the source specifically mentioned a noticeable decrease in the number of central committee members wearing military uniforms. In recent years, there have been a series of high-level purges within the Chinese military, and if a significant number of military central committee members are indeed absent this time, it certainly deserves attention.

Did Hu Chunhua, who was reported missing prior to the meeting, make an appearance? Du Wen indicated that sources closely monitored the venue and did not spot Hu Chunhua; additionally, those nearby were notably cautious when discussing related topics.

How stringent is the security at the venue?

Du Wen also revealed several details regarding the security measures in place at the venue.

It is reported that media reporters, conference organizers, and service personnel on-site are required to surrender their mobile phones and undergo rigorous security checks. Mobile signals within the venue are blocked, and guards and staff are only permitted to use special frequency, encrypted intercom devices.

In addition to communication restrictions, personnel movement is also tightly controlled. Staff are only allowed to operate within designated areas and cannot move freely. Du Wen conveyed that there were even suspicions regarding whether the identification badges contained tracking chips.

Are these claims accurate? It appears we will need to wait for the announcement on the 29th, along with subsequent public footage from the venue and personnel lists, to confirm further details.

Is He Lifeng also under investigation?

While the Fifth Plenary Session is taking place in Beijing, news has unexpectedly surfaced that He Lifeng, Xi Jinping's economic chief, is under investigation!

Australian independent journalist Jiang Wangzheng, who has been tracking the inner workings of Xi's faction for some time, disclosed that He Lifeng has been 'filed for investigation,' relating to his political and business connections during his earlier tenure in Fujian, which includes Sanan Optoelectronics. Coincidentally, on October 24, Sanan Optoelectronics announced that its actual controller, former Xiamen tycoon Lin Xiucheng, was approved for arrest on the 23rd, on charges of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds. Furthermore, Lin Xiucheng had already been placed under investigation as early as March this year, with the case ongoing for over seven months.

When a wealthy individual from Fujian faces legal troubles, why does it involve He Lifeng and even Cai Qi? The answer lies in Lin Xiucheng's long-standing political and business connections with the 'Fujian Gang' associated with Xi Jinping.

According to revelations from Jiang Wangzheng, during Cai Qi's time in Sanming, Fujian, he developed a close relationship with Lin Xiucheng's family, with frequent interactions between the two households.

He Lifeng has spent 25 years working in Fujian and collaborated with Xi Jinping in Xiamen during their early careers. In 2008, Lin Xiucheng's Sanan Optoelectronics successfully went public through a backdoor listing, while He Lifeng was serving as the Secretary of the Xiamen Municipal Committee. The growth of Sanan Optoelectronics that year was significantly supported by the local government in terms of land and tax incentives.

It is important to note that Sanan Group has previously been implicated in bribery scandals involving officials. Zheng Yunfeng, a former member of the Xiamen Municipal Standing Committee, faced legal consequences for using his authority to assist Lin Xiucheng in obtaining business benefits and accepting bribes. With Lin Xiucheng's recent arrest and rumors of He Lifeng being investigated, this network of political and business relationships in Fujian has once again captured public attention.

However, the claim that He Lifeng has been 'filed for investigation' has not yet been officially confirmed.

Who is targeting Xi Jinping's inner circle?

What is particularly alarming is that He Lifeng is not just any vice premier; he is a key economic and financial figure who has long been trusted by Xi Jinping. Previously, there have been ongoing rumors abroad regarding issues faced by Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong. Now, with reports of He Lifeng being investigated, what does this truly mean?

There are two potential political interpretations. The first suggests that Xi Jinping is personally spearheading the anti-corruption campaign, showing no mercy even to his close associates. The second interpretation posits that various political factions within the party may be leveraging anti-corruption cases to apply pressure on Xi Jinping's core confidants.

These two scenarios carry entirely different political implications.

He Lifeng is regarded by many as one of Xi Jinping's most trusted economic advisors. With decades of political ties to Xi, He has progressed from a local official in Fujian to key positions in the central government, including Director of the National Development and Reform Commission and Vice Premier of the State Council, where he has managed significant aspects of China's economic and financial affairs.

Thus, unless there are substantial political or legal reasons, Xi Jinping has no clear motive to voluntarily relinquish such a long-standing and trusted aide. Should He Lifeng indeed be under investigation, it would not merely concern a corporate matter but could also implicate the economic authority and personnel strategies within the upper ranks of the Communist Party.

As the Fifth Plenary Session approaches its conclusion on October 29, will the personnel announcements made then shed new light on these rumors? We will keep you updated.

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