Wang Qishan Faces Unprecedented Blow: Special Background Draws Attention

At the CCP's 75th anniversary reception, former Vice President Wang Qishan, who once aided Xi Jinping in purging political opponents, was seen with a sullen expression throughout the event. (Video screenshot)

[October 21, 2024] Wang Qishan, the former Vice President of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and a key figure in Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, has recently come under public scrutiny once again. Following the severe sentencing of three of his former associates, new reports suggest that Wang is currently under house arrest. Analysts believe Wang is facing an unprecedented attack, with his background as the son of a former Kuomintang (KMT) member also drawing attention.

Wang Qishan Targeted – By Xi’s Allies?

On October 12, the pro-CCP news outlet "Hong Kong He Tong She" reported that on the evening of October 7, Wang Qishan was placed under house arrest at his residence outside the East Gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The outlet also accused Wang of amassing a fortune in the tens of trillions of yuan.

The He Tong She website claims to be the "official external media outlet of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Global Forum Speaker’s Office," and describes its affiliated "Asia News Weekly" as an "influential media outlet under Hong Kong He Tong She, covering China's National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference." The website’s content is largely pro-CCP, including articles praising "Xi Jinping Economic Thought" and covering the annual meetings of the National People's Congress.

A commentary by Du Zheng published in Up Media on October 20 noted that He Tong She appears crudely made and unofficial, but it has previously reported insider information, such as the transfer of Zhong Shaojun, a key figure in Xi Jinping's military circle, from the General Office of the Central Military Commission to the National Defense University. It also broke the story of the October 1 shooting of the Shaoyang Public Security Bureau chief, which was subsequently censored by Chinese authorities. These instances suggest that the website's core personnel may have connections within Zhongnanhai (the central headquarters of the CCP).

The commentary speculated that the sensational details about Wang Qishan in He Tong She's report are highly unusual, especially considering that the content remains uncensored. The piece suggests that He Tong She’s figurehead, Liu Haofeng, who hails from Hunan, may be backed by a faction within Xi Jinping’s camp, possibly those overseen by Cai Qi (head of propaganda) or Li Xi (who currently heads the anti-corruption campaign). Regardless of who released the information, it seems to indicate that Wang Qishan is currently in a precarious position.

Epoch Times reporters found through online searches that Liu Haofeng, under multiple titles such as the president and editor-in-chief of Asia News Weekly, participated in an event in Shenzhen last October commemorating the 2574th anniversary of Confucius's birth.

Wang Qishan, who served as Xi’s "tiger-slaying" anti-corruption chief during his first term, retired from the Central Committee at the 19th Party Congress in 2017. He took up the largely ceremonial post of Vice President the following year and officially retired in March 2023.

Many of Wang’s former associates have fallen from grace in recent years. On October 10, Fan Yifei, who served as Wang’s chief financial officer at the China Construction Bank and later as deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, was sentenced to death with a reprieve, accused of embezzling nearly 400 million yuan. Tian Huiyu, the former president of China Merchants Bank and Wang’s former secretary, was sentenced to death with a reprieve for embezzling 500 million yuan. Another former secretary of Wang, Dong Hong, a former deputy leader of the Central Inspection Team, was sentenced to death with a reprieve for embezzling 460 million yuan. Additionally, Wang's close friend and fellow "second-generation red," real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on corruption charges after criticizing Xi Jinping.

During the National Day reception for the CCP's 75th anniversary, Wang Qishan, once a key ally in helping Xi Jinping eliminate political rivals, appeared but barely showed any expression. While most senior officials clapped as they followed Xi into the venue, Wang remained silent. Reports suggest that burly men appeared to be monitoring him closely.

Du Zheng, a commentator, noted that in this atmosphere, the blackmail against Wang Qishan, including rumors of his house arrest, might indicate that he is indeed under severe pressure, and the claims are not baseless.

Analysis: Wang Qishan Helped Xi Jinping Rise to Power but Was Ultimately Discarded

Wang Qishan was instrumental in Xi Jinping's rise to power, helping him eliminate political adversaries like Xu Caihou, Guo Boxiong, and Zhou Yongkang, even coming close to targeting Jiang Zemin and Zeng Qinghong, who were considered among the most corrupt. However, these efforts ultimately halted, allegedly due to a deal Xi made with Jiang and Zeng to maintain his power and protect the CCP.

Political commentator Chen Pokong, speaking on New Tang Dynasty's Elite Forum, explained that in Xi's first term, Wang and Xi had a cooperative relationship. However, in Xi’s second term, significant disagreements arose over issues such as Hong Kong and U.S.-China negotiations, leading to a growing rift between the two. Xi reportedly became dissatisfied with Wang, and Wang did not support Xi. This tension may have culminated during the 20th Party Congress when Xi secured his third term, possibly leaving lingering resentment between them. Although Wang’s key aides and associates have been sentenced harshly—evidence of Xi’s retaliation—Chen believes that Wang himself may not be arrested, as it would be difficult for anyone to take action against him at this time.

Independent TV producer Li Jun remarked on Elite Forum that while many within the system feared Wang Qishan, even more people despised him. Therefore, if Wang is being targeted, it is not surprising.

Epoch Times editor-in-chief Guo Jun, also on Elite Forum, stated that Wang Qishan had already been discarded by Xi Jinping. However, given Wang’s political cunning, he may not openly express dissatisfaction. Politics thrives on fear, and if Xi Jinping becomes suspicious that Wang could pose a threat, this could lead to more significant problems for Wang.

Wang Qishan's Background as a "KMT Officer’s Son" Draws Interest

Du Zheng’s article also pointed out that Wang Qishan has a family background that the CCP finds sensitive—he is the son of a Kuomintang (KMT) "reactionary" officer, a group the CCP purged after coming to power.

Wang Qishan was born on July 19, 1948, in Qingdao, Shandong. His father, Wang Dezheng, was born in 1907 (in the 33rd year of Emperor Guangxu's reign). During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Wang Dezheng served as a captain in the KMT and drew a salary from the Nationalist government. In June 1946, when Qingdao fell into the hands of the Communists, Wang Dezheng was retained by the CCP.

However, during the early 1950s "Suppression of Counter-Revolutionaries" campaign, Wang Dezheng’s home was raided due to his KMT officer background. Later, during the Cultural Revolution, he faced further persecution.

Wang Qishan’s political rise, however, is largely attributed to his marriage to Yao Yilin’s daughter, a member of the CCP elite and former Vice Premier of China.

Du Zheng’s article argued that Wang Qishan’s transformation from the son of a KMT officer, harboring resentment against the CCP, to a key figure in the CCP's leadership, represents a dramatic shift. Despite this, Wang's current predicament seems unrelated to his family background but is rather a result of the brutal internal power struggles within the CCP.

In his recent "Motherland" speech, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te referenced the gap between the 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 113 years of the Republic of China’s existence. He argued that "the People’s Republic of China can never be the motherland of the people of the Republic of China," adding that "the Republic of China might be the motherland of citizens over 75 years old within the PRC." His point was that all Chinese citizens born before the establishment of the PRC on October 1, 1949, were technically citizens of the Republic of China.

Du Zheng suggested that Wang Qishan is one of the survivors of that era, a remnant of the Republic of China living through the various political purges of the CCP. However, Wang’s current downfall is unrelated to his background as a KMT officer’s son, but rather a reflection of the CCP’s ruthless internal power struggles.

Editor: Li Renhe