Photo Caption: The first session of the 14th National People's Congress will open on March 5, 2023, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
[People News] The political landscape within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) remains murky, with rumors of senior officials encountering trouble. However, it seems highly likely that Party leader Xi Jinping's authority—especially over the military—has weakened. On December 23, Xi promoted Chen Hui to the rank of general, the first such promotion in six months. Chen's new role as Political Commissar of the Army was also announced. Chen’s career has largely been within the Air Force and Aerospace Corps, with no direct ties to Xi's loyalist factions or close associates. This suggests the influence of CCP elders behind the scenes, further evidence of Xi losing control over the military, to the point where even promotions to top military positions are no longer solely his decision.
On the same day as Xi's promotion of the general, 45 officials from 35 departments and units participated in a so-called constitutional oath-taking ceremony held by the State Council. Premier Li Qiang oversaw the ceremony. During his speech, Li emphasized adhering to "Xi Jinping Thought" as a guiding principle, deeply understanding the "Two Establishes," strengthening the "Four Consciousnesses," solidifying the "Four Confidences," and achieving the "Two Safeguards." While these remarks seemed to echo loyalty to Xi, the tone felt perfunctory. Notably, when mentioning "safeguard," Li omitted the critical word "resolute."
At a similar oath-taking ceremony held by the State Council on June 21 this year, Li used nearly identical phrases but explicitly stated "resolutely achieving the 'Two Safeguards.'" Additionally, in June, he described fulfilling this oath as fundamentally requiring "loyalty to the Party," a point absent in his December remarks.
Looking back to December 8 of last year, at another oath-taking ceremony, Li once again stated "resolutely achieving the 'Two Safeguards'" and urged officials under him to "continuously improve their political judgment, comprehension, and execution."
According to CCP rhetoric, the "Two Safeguards" refer to "resolutely safeguarding Xi Jinping's core position in the Party Central Committee and the whole Party" and "resolutely safeguarding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core." In other words, the word "resolute" must precede "safeguard" to signify unwavering loyalty to Xi’s position.
Li’s omission of "resolute" before "safeguard" this time is no accidental oversight but a deliberate choice. The subtext signals that while Xi’s position is still being safeguarded, there is no longer a need for absolute, unwavering support. This shift likely reflects changes in Xi’s standing within the Party. Li has also downplayed Xi’s influence in several public speeches in the past.
Since the Third Plenum in July, the continuous release of information by the CCP's top ranks and the military—including the softening of loyalty-oriented rhetoric such as downplaying "Xi Jinping Thought"—has highlighted significant internal turmoil within the CCP. Changes in Xi Jinping's status have attracted considerable attention and analysis from overseas media and independent commentators. The author speculates that the CCP, likely unprepared to openly address its internal issues, may be using official statements laced with loyalty slogans to obscure or confuse the outside world. However, careful scrutiny reveals notable differences in tone and content compared to past rhetoric. For instance, Li Qiang's omission of "resolute" before "safeguard" is a case in point.
Notably, during the oath-taking ceremony on December 23, CCTV gave two separate camera shots to Ding Xuexiang, the CCP's top-ranking Vice Premier, a treatment not extended to other vice premiers or state councilors.
A few days earlier, Mr. Jiang Wangzheng, an Australia-based commentator, claimed in a revelation that Ding Xuexiang had suspended all duties as of December 20, 2024, with He Lifeng taking over Ding’s routine State Council responsibilities. Jiang later reaffirmed this information, stating, “Ding Xuexiang is indeed sidelined. Today, on the State Council document processing list, sections submitted by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Science and Technology no longer require Ding’s review. The National Development and Reform Commission's documents are now assigned to He Lifeng, while those from the Education and Science Ministries go to Liu Guozhong.”
Jiang Wangzheng was formerly the Assistant Branch Manager of Ping An Bank’s Hangzhou Branch in mainland China. His grandfather, Jiang Yongcheng, was a member of the Chiang Kai-shek family, and Jiang Wangzheng fled China in 2018. He is also the nephew of Yao Zuoting, the former Deputy Director of Zhejiang Province's Development and Reform Commission and a known associate of Xi Jinping’s faction. Jiang’s past disclosures are reputed to be highly accurate.
CCTV's decision to feature Ding Xuexiang on camera twice could be an attempt to "debunk rumors" about him. However, based on past CCP practices, an appearance on official media can indicate either a sign of stability or merely temporary reprieve, without guaranteeing immunity from future troubles. Whether Ding Xuexiang will ultimately be implicated remains to be seen. This situation underscores the intense infighting among factions within the CCP's top ranks.
Regardless of which high-ranking official is investigated, none are likely to be innocent. Climbing to such positions within the CCP's corrupt and oppressive system requires compromising moral principles, if not actively colluding with its evils, making it almost impossible to remain untainted. The downfall or demise of any senior official is merely another casualty of the CCP’s internal machinations—a consequence of the regime’s relentless grind and, perhaps, karmic retribution. △
(Originally published by People News)
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