First Case of a Defeated CCP "Red Family" Speaking Out Abroad: Is Xi's Power Waning?

Bo Xilai's family of three—Gu Kailai (left), Bo Guagua (center), and Bo Xilai—all have unfriendly expressions. (People's Daily composite image)

People News – On December 5, Bo Guagua, the son of former Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai, who is currently imprisoned in Qincheng Prison, stirred public interest yet again. After marrying a Taiwanese woman, a citizen of what the CCP considers a "hostile state," Bo released a lengthy 2,000-word statement on social media, defending his parents and arguing for Bo Xilai's vindication. He denied allegations that the Bo family owns massive overseas assets and emphasized that Bo Xilai never sought to challenge Xi Jinping, claiming there was no personal or family feud between the Bo and Xi families. This unprecedented move of a defeated faction in a CCP power struggle speaking out publicly abroad has sparked further scrutiny of internal CCP dynamics, with speculation that Xi Jinping’s grip on power may be weakening.

Bo Guagua Drops a Bombshell

On the X platform, an account named "Kuangyi (Guagua) Bo" has recently gained attention for its frequent, high-profile posts aimed at "clarifying" longstanding rumors about the Bo family. The posts claim that Bo had initially intended to stay low-profile, but due to public interest surrounding his recent wedding, he decided to break his 12-year silence and address the rumors. Yesterday, he even shared a handwritten letter from his mother, Gu Kailai, showcasing her calligraphy and quoting her advice to "grow into a better person," seemingly attempting to whitewash her criminal convictions.

The post opens by denying allegations that the Bo family possesses significant overseas assets, asserting that an investigation conducted by CCP authorities years ago found no evidence of a "billion-dollar fortune." Bo Guagua wrote that his new wife humorously asked where these supposed assets were, implying the public rumors were untrue. However, he also admitted to being a playboy who loves women, boasted about his achievements, and claimed he has always held a Chinese passport, adding that he was "never expelled from Oxford." He also expressed pride in his mother’s accomplishments. Critics, however, point out that Bo’s luxurious lifestyle in the UK, including his education, living expenses, and penchant for luxury brands, raises questions about the source of his funding, casting doubt on the veracity of his statements.

Bo's post particularly emphasizes that his father, Bo Xilai, never harbored ambitions to challenge Xi Jinping. He claimed his parents' downfall had nothing to do with Xi and declared his unwavering respect and support for them, stating, "They remain the people I admire most." He blamed "overzealous interpretations" of higher-ups’ intentions for the misunderstandings surrounding Bo Xilai and expressed disbelief that his mother could "sink so low as to commit murder."

A Centipede Dies but Does Not Stiffen

Political commentator Ma Ju believes that Bo Guagua’s recent statement reflects his lack of understanding of CCP political dynamics. He remarked: “This young man is still quite naïve. He does not understand the relationships between families, especially political families, which are not determined by money or past sentiments but are often grounded in life-or-death power struggles. The fact that there were no grudges in the past does not mean that relationships are good now.”

Bo Guagua’s statement analyzed his father Bo Xilai’s three "mistakes": insufficient communication, mishandling of the "sing red and strike black" campaign, and missteps in personnel management during the anti-corruption efforts. He implied that Bo Xilai’s reliance on Wang Lijun was a misjudgment, as Wang was overly ambitious and abused his power. Bo even accused Wang of drugging Gu Kailai, which allegedly left her bedridden for a long time and led to Bo distancing himself from Wang—albeit too late.

However, upon examining the Bo-Wang relationship, Wang was a trusted confidant whom Bo brought from Liaoning to Chongqing. Wang had been recommended by Gu Kailai herself and had aided Bo in persecuting Falun Gong practitioners and facilitating organ harvesting, leaving a blood-soaked trail. Bo once described Wang and Gu’s relationship as “inseparable.”

According to the CCP’s unwritten political rules, individuals like Bo Guagua, with their symbolic roles, rarely act independently. Their statements and actions—such as his marriage to a Taiwanese woman and his lengthy online defense of his family—are likely approved or tacitly encouraged by high-ranking CCP officials.

Social media commentator Li Muyang said, "A centipede dies but does not stiffen." The Bo family maintains deep roots within the CCP’s power structures, likely aligned with anti-Xi factions. Bo Guagua’s high-profile statements are unlikely to be purely personal and may reflect shifts within the CCP’s internal dynamics. Li speculated that Bo might sense Xi’s weakening grip on power and hopes to alter the narrative surrounding his parents’ case, potentially paving the way for their release. “To claim injustice is essentially to accuse Xi and the CCP of mishandling the case,” Li said. He added, “A poisonous vine will only produce toxic fruit.”

Signs of Turmoil in Zhongnanhai

A scholar who closely monitors Chinese political figures, Mr. Jin, observed that the content of Bo Guagua’s statement is less important than the precedent it sets: it is the first time a family member of a fallen CCP leader has publicly voiced grievances abroad. Jin stated: “What he said isn’t important. What’s important is the new trend it reveals: the children of political leaders who have fallen in factional struggles are continuing the fight.”

Infighting within the CCP never ceases. Recently, Beijing residents reported anti-Xi propaganda posters being torn down by officials without replacements, sparking speculation that political winds might be shifting.

Observers have noted signs over recent months suggesting Xi’s power is being curtailed. One reason cited is the string of failed initiatives Xi has directly overseen, which have eroded his credibility. Examples include the falsified claims of achieving a “moderately prosperous society,” the failure to effectively combat the pandemic, the stalled Xiong’an New Area project, setbacks in aligning with Russia against the U.S., ineffective crackdowns on private education, and unsuccessful efforts to encourage higher birth rates. Additionally, many of Xi’s handpicked allies have faced scandals.

Some speculate that Xi is now merely putting on a facade of unity. “The ‘supreme leader’ and ‘Xi Jinping Thought’ have been sidelined,” one analyst said, adding that anti-Xi factions are gaining ground by appealing to public sentiment. Party media and the Foreign Ministry’s website have mostly relegated Xi’s activities to symbolic gestures, such as congratulating small nations or holding ceremonial meetings with countries like Namibia, Cambodia, Nepal, Uruguay, and Palestine. Analysts note that these are routine matters with little news value or significance.

Recently, the skies near Beijing have frequently shown “multiple suns,” a rare phenomenon that some interpret as an omen. A British forecaster even predicted that Xi might step down next year to make way for a successor.

In this context, political analysts suggest that Bo Guagua may have perceived changes in the CCP’s internal power dynamics, emboldening him to demand redress for his parents and challenge Xi’s handling of their case. According to a report by Radio Free Asia, the relationships between the “red second generation” and the current CCP leadership are deeply intertwined. However, for decades, overseas members of the “red second” or “red third” generations have avoided publicly defending their families’ “injustices.” At most, they have expressed dissatisfaction with domestic political struggles in veiled or indirect ways, as outright opposition to the system is unthinkable.

The outlet quoted Shen Liangqing, a former prosecutor from Anhui, who criticized Bo Guagua for failing to reflect on his family’s crimes through the lens of modern values and human rights during his years abroad. Instead, at his high-profile wedding with Taiwan’s Hsu family, he chose to portray his parents as having “endured humiliation for the greater good.” Shen argued that Bo Xilai and Gu Kailai were guilty of heinous crimes and deserved harsher punishments. “What injustice is there? What humiliation did they endure?” Shen asked rhetorically. He added that the “greater good” Bo Guagua referenced likely refers to the perpetuation of the CCP’s rule. “Doesn’t he hope his father will be released and make a political comeback? The ugly face of the red family’s heir is fully exposed.”