[People News] Zhang Youxia has once again sent out unusual signals. According to multiple Vietnamese media reports, Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), made a sudden visit to Vietnam.

On October 24, at 8:17 p.m., the Vietnam News Agency reported that Zhang Youxia, a member of the CCP’s Politburo and Vice Chairman of the CMC, led a delegation for an official visit to Vietnam from October 24 to 26, at the invitation of Vietnamese Politburo member, CMC Deputy Secretary, and Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang.

The report stated that on the afternoon of October 24, General Phan Van Giang hosted a ceremony at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Hanoi to welcome General Zhang Youxia and his delegation. Photos show Zhang Youxia and Phan Van Giang side-by-side, marching along the red carpet in a formal military ceremony. Vietnam's Ministry of Defense offered Zhang a high-level reception.

On the evening of October 24, Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and CMC Chairman Truong welcomed Zhang Youxia at the Party Central Headquarters. A video broadcast by Voice of Vietnam shows Truong and Zhang sitting at the top of the central hall, with flowers arranged before them and Chinese and Vietnamese officials seated respectfully on either side. Zhang appeared relaxed and content, sitting seemingly as an equal with Truong.

According to the Saigon Liberation Daily, on October 25 in the afternoon, Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong received General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Chinese CMC, at the Presidential Palace. Vietnamese media published a frontal photo of Thuong and Zhang shaking hands, with Zhang appearing rosy-cheeked and smiling.

There has been widespread speculation that, following the Third Plenary Session, Xi Jinping has stepped back from military affairs, with military authority now vested in Zhang Youxia, the first vice chairman. From October 22 to 24, Xi made a high-profile trip to Russia for the BRICS Summit. Even before Xi left China, Zhang Youxia presided over a comprehensive military training exercise in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, from October 20 to 22. This suggests that military authority may indeed have shifted, with Zhang Youxia possibly acting as the de facto commander of the CCP's armed forces.

According to Xinhua, Xi Jinping returned to Beijing at midnight on October 24, while Zhang Youxia had already arrived in Hanoi that afternoon. Clearly, the two leaders are now pursuing separate responsibilities, with Xi seemingly sidelined from military and defense affairs.

On October 15, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met with Zhang Youxia in Beijing but did not meet Xi Jinping. In late August, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s first visit to China specifically included a meeting with Zhang Youxia.

During Zhang’s visit to Vietnam, Vietnamese media heavily covered his meetings, with reports from the Vietnam News Agency and Voice of Vietnam showing Zhang speaking without mentioning Xi Jinping, the “core of the CCP,” or “Xi Jinping Thought.”

Curiously, as of the evening of October 25, Chinese state media had not reported on Zhang Youxia’s visit to Vietnam. Xinhua, People’s Daily, and China Military Online remained silent on the matter. On October 25, Xinhua’s website instead highlighted an article on Central Propaganda Department head Li Shulei’s visit to Cuba, titled "Cuba’s President Meets Li Shulei," without a word on Zhang’s meeting with Trong. This news blackout, likely orchestrated by Propaganda Chief Cai Qi, appears intended to downplay Zhang’s visit to Vietnam and maintain the perception that Xi is still firmly in control.

In recent days, the front pages of CCP state media have been dominated by Xi Jinping's visit to the BRICS Summit. Reports emphasize the high-level reception Xi received and underscore China’s supposed leadership within BRICS, positioning the CCP as a dominant voice among the member countries. The CCP has been inflating BRICS’ influence internationally, claiming its alliance exceeds that of the G7, aiming to boost Xi’s and its own image.

In stark contrast, Vietnamese media has given prominent coverage to Zhang Youxia, Xi's rival within the military and first vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). This difference in focus is meaningful. Vietnam, deeply familiar with the power struggles within the CCP, shows a keen political sensitivity to the shifting dynamics in Beijing.

Previously, on October 12, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Vietnamese General Secretary and President Truong at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Communist Party, where he was also well received. However, during Li’s meeting, he and Truong sat among their respective delegations. In contrast, on October 24, only Zhang Youxia and Truong sat together at the top of the central hall, highlighting their leader-like positions, while the other officials sat on either side. This setup indicates Vietnam’s greater emphasis on the meeting with Zhang.

As a fellow communist state, Vietnam is aware of the role of military power in governance. For this reason, Chinese internet platforms have entirely blocked coverage of Zhang’s visit to Vietnam, seemingly to keep Xi Jinping’s diminishing control over military affairs from being publicly exposed.

During his meetings with Zhang, Vietnamese Politburo member, CMC Deputy Secretary, and Defense Minister Phan Van Giang, along with General Secretary Truong, discussed the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes between the two countries.

Since Xi Jinping came to power, the Chinese military's expansionist pursuits in the South China Sea have led to frequent clashes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia, drawing sharp international condemnation. In late September, ten Vietnamese fishermen near the Paracel Islands were reportedly injured by Chinese maritime officers, who seized $20,000 worth of equipment and fish. China’s Foreign Ministry denied the incident, maintaining that it has "indisputable sovereignty" over the Paracel Islands and surrounding waters.

Xi Jinping's military expansion and "wolf warrior" diplomacy have caused growing resentment from Vietnam. Former Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong invited U.S. President Joe Biden for a state visit from September 10 to 11, 2023. During the visit, both countries issued a joint statement elevating their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aimed at countering the CCP and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Recently, Vietnam has shown significant courtesy toward Li Qiang, China’s second-in-command, and military leader Zhang Youxia. This suggests that Vietnam may be well-informed on recent political dynamics and power shifts in Beijing. Vietnam seems to be making diplomatic and military advances to proactively establish a framework for stable relations between the two countries amid a potential power transition in Beijing.

Meanwhile, Xi Jinping appears to be losing authority over the military and is attempting to salvage his image on the diplomatic front. On October 25, Xinhua published a prominent article in which Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi lavishly praised Xi, claiming that at the BRICS Summit, “Chairman Xi Jinping demonstrated his insight into global trends and grasp of the spirit of the times.” This sycophantic piece may be Wang’s attempt to make amends after a 2023 BRICS Summit incident in South Africa, where Xi’s translator was blocked by security, causing international embarrassment. Reports suggest that Xi ordered Wang to engage in self-reflection and write an apology afterward. This time, Wang appears to be making extra efforts to flatter Xi.

Analyzing Xi's recent visit to Six-Foot Alley in Anhui, it seems that his loss of power may be a forced one. Behind the public spotlight of his Russia trip lies an underlying sense of insecurity and uncertainty.

(Originally published by Renminbao)