China
Popular news
The Secret Behind Sanna Takashita's Resounding Victory
In the House of Representatives election held in Japan on February 8, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Sanna Takashita, not only achieved a landslide victory but also set a record for the highest number of seats won by a single party in post-war elections.
A Resounding Victory Over the Communist Party! Takashi Sanae's Vote Share Reaches 88.7%, While Pro-China Candidate Okada Katsu Loses
On February 8, the votes were counted for the 51st election of the Japanese House of Representatives. The Liberal Democratic Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Takashi Sanae, staged what can be described as one of the most thrilling election campaigns in history.
Unfortunately! They Bear Too Much Resemblance to Him
Recently, mainland internet celebrity Rui Ge gained fame for his remarkably accurate imitation of Donald Trump, attracting millions of fans and even prompting CNN to conduct a special interview with him, making him a popular topic of conversation during leisure time.
A Performance Makes the ‘Inner Guards’ Very Nervous — What Is Xi Afraid Of?”**
According to reports from Chinese military media and Xinhua, the Central Military Commission held a Lunar New Year gala performance in Beijing on February 6 for retired military cadres stationed in the capital. After the removal of CMC members Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli shook both the military and the Party, Xi Jinping — now nearly “a man alone” — attended the event accompanied only by the remaining CMC member and Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin.
The Economics of a Furious Ruler: China’s Fiscal Revenue Falls for the First Time in Five Years
China’s economy continues to “create miracles,” with officially reported GDP growth consistently holding at 5%, astonishing the world. The official data shows resilience, yet people on the ground feel as if they are stuck in a bitter winter. This stark contrast, in the Party’s words, is not an economic cover-up but “developmental tension,” not structural failure but “institutional superiority.”
Military Commission Revises Disciplinary Punishment Rules
Since Zhang Youxia was abruptly arrested, the CCP political arena has appeared calm on the surface, but in reality undercurrents are surging. The shockwaves this event has sent through CCP politics—and the rifts and infighting within the CCP military—continue to rise from deep within Zhongnanhai’s political depths to the surface. On February 5, the NPC Standing Committee avoided a proposal from military delegates to strip Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli of their NPC deputy qualifications, indicating that Xi Jinping has encountered strong resistance in the subsequent handling of the Zhang Youxia ca
After Talking With Xi, Did Trump Issue an Ultimatum?
On February 4, U.S. President Trump posted on the “Truth Social” platform about the contents of his just-completed call with CCP leader Xi Jinping: “We discussed many important topics, including trade, the military, my upcoming trip to China in April (I very much look forward to it!), the Taiwan issue, the Russia–Ukraine war, the Iran situation, China buying oil and natural gas from the United States, China considering increasing purchases of agricultural products (including raising this quarter’s soybean purchases to 20 million tons—they have already promised next quarter’s purchases will be
The Misfortunes of Eight CCP Chiefs of the (General) Staff
On January 24, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that Zhang Youxia, a member of the CCP Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, a member of the CMC and Chief of Staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department, were “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law” and had been placed under case-filing review. This is the most explosive major event to occur in the CCP political arena since China entered 2026. I have already written an article about the life-and-death ordeals of eight CMC vice chairmen in CCP history. He
Economic Powerhouses Fail to Meet GDP Targets for Years; Steel Mills Halt Production, Foreign Companies Relocate
As of now, the GDP situation for all 31 provinces in China for 2025 has been disclosed, revealing that many provinces have not met the GDP targets set at the beginning of last year. With the time approaching to establish GDP targets for 2026, despite the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities promoting a narrative of 'economic optimism,' several provinces that rank among the top ten in total GDP have lowered their growth targets for 2026.
Xi Jinping's Authority is Facing an Unprecedented Challenge: Is the Practice of 'cutting First and Reporting Later' Becoming a Thing of the Past?
Prominent commentator Jiang Feng shared a wealth of data on the X platform on February 6, highlighting the significant impact of Xi Jinping's purges on the political landscape of the Chinese Communist Party.
Sending Large Gift Packages Proves Ineffective; ASEAN Declines to Be a Pawn of the CCP
The term "Qi Shu" typically refers to fate, fortune, or the developmental trends of events, often linked to the rise and fall of nations. When a government is experiencing a period of strong qi, its formidable presence can instil fear or admiration in others or allied nations. Conversely, as its qi wanes, those who once complied may stand tall and refuse to submit.
Was Chen Yuan Positioned to Guard Xi’s Rear During the Zhang Youxia Arrest — and Linked to the Li Keqiang Case?
Ten days after Xi Jinping moved against Zhang Youxia, mainland outlet Caixin cited a report from the Beijing Daily saying Chen Yuan, former commander of the Shanghai Armed Police Corps, had been reassigned in early January to a leadership post in the Beijing Garrison Command. In other words, during Xi’s move against Zhang, Chen Yuan was positioned to “guard the rear.” Chen is seen as aligned with He Weidong’s faction and has been linked by rumor to responsibility for Li Keqiang’s mysterious death in Shanghai. This fuels the belief that Xi’s move against Zhang had been planned for a long time a
With Zhang Youxia Down, Could He Weidong and Miao Hua Be Rehabilitated?
Independent commentator Du Zheng wrote in Taiwan’s Up Media that He Weidong and Miao Hua joined forces to move against Zhang Youxia and succeeded in bringing down Zhang’s close ally Li Shangfu. Zhang later decided to strike back, gathering evidence of corruption and disloyalty involving He and Miao, which forced Xi to purge them. Now that Zhang himself is under investigation, there are signs Xi may be reactivating personnel linked to He Weidong. This raises the question: could the cases against He and Miao be reversed?
Strange Signals in State Media Suggest Resistance to Xi Reclaiming Absolute Dominance
After the CCP officially announced on January 24 that Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Department Chief Liu Zhenli were under investigation, official and military websites briefly reverted to a reporting pattern seen several years ago: major news about Xi Jinping once again dominated the top headlines for extended periods, creating the impression that “Boss Xi” was re-establishing supreme authority.
Lavish Concessions to Trump Highlight Xi’s Struggle to Control China’s Turmoil
Thinking about taking action against Taiwan? Trump: You are free to think about it, but what are you
Did Zhao Leji Show Rare Courage by Defying Xi to Protect Zhang Youxia?
On February 4, 2026, the 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress was convened in Beijing on an emergency basis, with Zhao Leji presiding. Observers believed the unusual session was likely intended to provide “legal procedures” after Xi Jinping allegedly violated procedures in detaining Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and CMC member Liu Zhenli. Unexpectedly, Zhao Leji did not move to remove Zhang and Liu from their positions. As a result, Xi’s detention actions are now viewed as procedural violations. This is described as the first ti
How Zhang Youxia Angered Xi Jinping
The CCP leader Xi Jinping’s arrests of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli have sparked widespread speculation. Some rumors claim Zhang and Liu attempted a failed coup against Xi. However, political commentator Du Zheng wrote in a February 4 article titled “The ‘Power Struggle Kill Line’ in the Zhang Youxia Incident” that Zhang did not have the boldness or strategic vision to launch a coup. Rather, like some CCP elders, Zhang merely tried to prevent Xi from seeking another term, fearing danger for the Party-state. During this period, Zhang halted Xi’s visits to military training grounds where he perso
Xi Phones U.S. and Russian Leaders — Analysis: Buffering an Internal Power Crisis
After CCP leader Xi Jinping launched a surprise move to arrest Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, the military has remained silent, with no one publicly expressing support. In addition, an emergency session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) was convened on February 4 but did not revoke Zhang and Liu’s status as NPC deputies. This suggests Xi’s arrests violated the CCP’s own legal procedures and may also be seen as the NPC signaling opposition to Xi’s actions, further indicating that Xi’s authority within the Party is not what it once was.
2026 World Report on Human Rights: Beijing Intensifies Suppression of Dissent at Home and Abroad
The 2026 World Report released by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch states that in 2025 the Chinese government significantly deepened domestic repression while expanding methods of silencing dissent overseas, placing greater pressure on freedom of expression, civil society, ethnic minorities, and overseas critics.
Does Zhang Youxia Have a Protective Talisman? Party, Government, and Military Stay Silent
It has been ten days since the official announcement on January 24 of the downfall of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission (CMC), and CMC member Liu Zhenli. China’s military and political circles have fallen into an unprecedented state of eerie calm. According to past CCP practice when Politburo-level officials fall, party and government bodies at all levels should immediately rush to declare loyalty, appear on state news broadcasts in line to support the central decision, and firmly endorse General Secretary Xi.
The CCP Governs with a “Political Straitjacket”
While Chinese authorities continue to promote an upbeat narrative of “steady progress,” social media inside China tells a very different story. Short videos widely shared online show people of all ages describing job loss, collapsing incomes, shuttered shops, and crushing work hours — a stark contrast to official optimism.