Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, remarked that Xi's faction has been entirely apprehended. (Video screenshot)
[People News] On October 17, 2025, just two days ahead of the Fourth Plenary Session, the Ministry of National Defence of the Communist Party of China made a surprising announcement that sent shockwaves through both domestic and international circles, delivering a powerful political message.
In the afternoon of the 17th, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang officially reported that the Central Military Commission's Discipline Inspection Commission had initiated an investigation into nine senior generals. These include He Weidong, a member of the Central Political Bureau and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission; Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and former Director of the Political Work Department; He Hongjun, former Executive Deputy Director of the Political Work Department; Wang Xiubin, former Executive Deputy Director of the Joint Operations Command Center; Lin Xiangyang, former Commander of the Eastern Theater Command; Qin Shutang, former Political Commissar of the Army; Yuan Huazhi, former Political Commissar of the Navy; Wang Houbin, former Commander of the Rocket Force; and Wang Chunning, former Commander of the Armed Police Force.
This news hit like a bombshell, instantly capturing the attention of the public both at home and abroad.
All nine generals are, without exception, core loyalists or trusted confidants of Xi Jinping within the military. Earlier, rumours had circulated online regarding the downfall of Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutang, Yuan Huazhi, and Wang Houbin. The official confirmation from the Ministry of National Defence not only validated these rumours but also indicated that the internal factional struggles within the party had entered a critical phase of intense confrontation just before the Fourth Plenary Session.
The military's proactive announcement and Zhang Youxia's decisive action are noteworthy.
This official declaration has several unusual aspects, particularly the timing, as it comes just two days before the Fourth Plenary Session, which could have been officially announced during the session itself. The urgency to release this information beforehand highlights the peculiar nature of the situation.
Secondly, He Weidong, the second vice chairman of the Military Commission and Xi Jinping's most trusted ally in the military, has been missing for over six months, leaving the public unaware of his fate. In a surprising turn of events, the military announced his corruption-related downfall, with the announcement made by a spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence, which is highly unusual. This suggests that the military has circumvented the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and party structures. The fall of former Military Commission member Li Shangfu was initially reported by Xinhua News Agency rather than the Ministry of Defence. Similarly, the incident involving Miao Hua was announced by a Ministry of Defence spokesperson on November 28, 2024, indicating that the military is now under the control of Zhang Youxia, who is targeting both Miao Hua and He Weidong as part of a broader effort against Xi Jinping.
Thirdly, Zhang Youxia, as the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, effectively wields military power. He acted decisively, bypassing the Politburo's review process. Former Military Commission members Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were expelled from the party only after the Central Politburo meeting on June 27, 2024, which reviewed and approved the Central Military Commission's report. In contrast, the expulsion of He Weidong and others was announced by a Ministry of Defence spokesperson, who stated that 'based on relevant party regulations and legal provisions, the Party Central Committee has decided to expel nine individuals from the party,' thus bypassing the Central Politburo meeting. This indicates that Zhang Youxia has broken free from the usual party constraints and is directly targeting Xi Jinping's inner circle. All of these officials who have fallen from grace were trusted aides promoted by Xi Jinping from the 31st Army, and their downfall signifies a complete disintegration of Xi Jinping's control over military power.
On the afternoon of October 17, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence announced that 'with the approval of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission,' an investigation had been initiated against nine individuals. This 'Party Central Committee and Central Military Commission' represents a new power centre focused on 'de-Xi' (去习化), led by veterans such as Wen Jiabao and Zhang Youxia. Their goal is to stabilise the situation ahead of the Fourth Plenary Session and to constrain Xi Jinping from making impulsive moves, ultimately leading to a transfer of power during the meeting. This action serves not only as a deterrent but also marks the beginning of a strategic reconfiguration, indicating a significant reshuffling of the power dynamics within the Party.
The timing of this announcement from the Ministry of National Defence is particularly sensitive. Historically, major personnel changes within the Chinese Communist Party often occur around plenary sessions, but the scale and high profile of the individuals involved this time are quite unusual. He Weidong, as the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, was the second-highest military official, and his removal directly shakes Xi Jinping's military authority. The other eight individuals also hold influential positions across critical sectors, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Armed Police. Their collective ousting can be seen as a 'surgical' removal of Xi Jinping's military strategy.
As the Fourth Plenary Session approaches, the power struggle intensifies, with multiple signals converging.
This military purge is essentially an external manifestation of the factional struggles within the Party, as the Xi faction and the anti-Xi faction transition from covert conflicts to open confrontations.
Recently, signs of power struggles related to the 20th Central Committee's Fourth Plenary Session have been increasingly evident, revealing complex interconnections. Between October 1 and 8, the People's Daily published eight consecutive articles extolling Xi Jinping's economic thought, seemingly promoting an 'economic optimism' narrative and highlighting the guiding brilliance of his ideas. However, given the current severe economic climate, this concentrated propaganda appears to be Xi Jinping's attempt to resist ceding power. Some analysts interpret this as a form of 'high-level black humour,' where excessive praise inadvertently highlights the weaknesses of his policies, thereby undermining his authority.
Simultaneously, on October 9, Xi Jinping initiated export control measures on rare earths, further complicating China-U.S. relations. While this move seems to respond to external pressures, it is actually intended to shift domestic focus and ease the tensions of power struggles surrounding the Fourth Plenary Session. By generating international friction, Xi Jinping aims to create a crisis atmosphere, seeking opportunities to counterattack and disrupt. However, reports from overseas media have raised concerns about Xi Jinping's health, indicating that he has once again exhibited symptoms of a stroke. Public footage from his attendance at the World Women's Summit on October 13 shows him appearing fatigued and unwell, which has intensified worries within the party about the stability of the leadership.
On October 13, Hu Xijin, a rare voice for the Chinese Communist Party, expressed his criticism on Weibo regarding the excessively strict censorship of speech. He noted that the public's online expression has become increasingly cautious, primarily due to a significant decline in social tolerance. This statement quickly ignited intense discussions, with many believing that the introduction of such sensitive topics just before the Fourth Plenary Session is closely tied to internal power struggles among the leadership. Hu Xijin's comments may serve as a means for certain factions within the party to gauge the atmosphere and voice their discontent with Xi Jinping's policies on speech control.
On October 16, the Standing Committee Bulletin (No. 5 of 2025) released by the National People's Congress revealed that Zhang Lin, Gao Daguan, Wang Zhibin, and Wang Chunning were removed from their positions as representatives of the 14th National People's Congress due to serious disciplinary and legal violations. This move is viewed as a precursor to the internal power struggles leading up to the Fourth Plenary Session. Zhang Youxia aims to send a warning signal to Xi Jinping and his close allies, further constricting Xi Jinping's manoeuvring space during the Fourth Plenary Session.
These events are interconnected, illustrating that the power struggle on the eve of the Fourth Plenary Session has reached a boiling point, with every signal indicating a critical juncture for power transition.
Fourth Plenary Session: A Crossroads for Power Transition
On October 15, overseas commentator 'Shan He Dong Fu' disclosed that Zhang Youxia recently held secret meetings with Wen Jiabao, Wang Yang, and Hu Chunhua to discuss the current political situation. During these discussions, Zhang Youxia pointed out that he has noticed some unusual signs, particularly the frequent personnel changes within the Central Guard Bureau and the appearance of many new faces. Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi have been frequently seen entering and exiting the venue for the Fourth Plenary Session preparations, which is highly unusual and closely tied to the session's organisation. Zhang Youxia candidly remarked that Xi Jinping is unlikely to accept a peaceful resignation, suggesting that the Fourth Plenary Session could escalate into a more intense confrontation. Wen Jiabao emphasised that more radical measures could be adopted if necessary.
From the analysis of these revelations, it appears that the Fourth Plenary Session may serve as a battleground for a life-and-death confrontation between the elders, Zhang Youxia, and Xi Jinping. The adjustments in leadership and personnel within the Central Guard Bureau indicate that Xi Jinping's team might be planning risky actions at the plenary session site. Zhang Youxia and the elders have seemingly boarded the anti-Xi train of life and death, and if decisive action is not taken, the potential consequences could be dire. Military strategy often emphasises the importance of striking first; the sudden announcement of the downfall of He Weidong and nine others suggests that the elder alliance's strategic plans are beginning to take shape. To ensure a smooth power transition during the Fourth Plenary Session, Zhang Youxia has taken the initiative, signalling that the anti-Xi forces have united.
The announcement from the Ministry of National Defence and the decisive actions taken by Zhang Youxia signal a new phase in the power struggle within the upper ranks of the Chinese Communist Party. This event not only represents a military purge but also reflects a concerted effort by the 'de-Xi' faction within the party. The various signals leading up to the Fourth Plenary Session suggest an irreversible shift in power. Regardless of the outcome, this process is set to have a profound impact on the future political trajectory of China.
The 20th Fourth Plenary Session, scheduled for October 20 to 23, 2025, is expected to be marked by intense power transitions. Will Xi Jinping hand over power and step down? Will veteran leaders and reformists like Wen Jiabao, Zhang Youxia, Wang Yang, and Hu Chunhua be able to successfully navigate the situation? All of these questions will be addressed during the plenary session. We are watching closely, as this moment could potentially reshape China's political landscape.
(First published by the People News) △
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