There are claims in some American-Chinese media that the removal of the present ruler of China, President Xi Jinping, could be imminent, but these prophesies need substantial back-ups. Unfortunately, some former Indian generals, who regularly appear on social media platforms, a few of them run by former civil servants, too are being seen endorsing these predictions without credible information.
Further, perhaps, in a bid to undermine, Xi Jinping, a section of Indian media, is seen publishing unsubstantial news that the Trump Administration might soon be withdrawing the American visa to Xi Mingze, winsome daughter of China’s strong man. It may be noted that Xi Mingze, who has been pursuing higher studies at Harvard is in the US for the past 15 years, maintains a low-profile. She, however, being kept under the strong protection of the US and Chinese secret police. Being the daughter of a famous Chinese folk singer, Peng Liyuan and Xi Jinping, Xi Mingze is also being appreciated for her talent and etiquette. She would be celebrating her 33rd. birthday on June 25.
Amidst these anti Xi media campaigns, some commentators from China and Taiwan have recently claimed that “the signals within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), especially with the re-emergence of old factions in the party, indicate that Xi Jinping’s grip on power is weakening and that his removal may be imminent, even a managed exit may be underway”.
According to them, the resurgence of the side-lined Communist Youth League faction, the purge of military figures reportedly be close to Xi indicate that Xi Jinping’s political clout is on decline. Further, these observers quote that the decision not to name Guanzhong Revolutionary Memorial Hall in northern China’s Shaanxi Province, honouring Xi’s father, Xi Zhongxun, a Communist revolutionary, also indicate the decline of his political clout.
Meanwhile, the comment of Cai Shenkun, a senior journalist, who runs his own YouTube channel, on 21 May that a section of the CCP have reached a collective decision that Xi will have to formally step down from the political stage. Earlier, Cai had claimed about the ongoing power shifts in both the CCP and military. According to him, the growing discontent among Party elders could be attributed to the recent decline in Chinese economy and the mounting international pressure, accompanied by Xi’s deteriorating health.
It is being stated, he either may be deposed or could be stripped off his executive powers at the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, scheduled to take place in late August of this year. It is also possible that he might be retained as a nominal head till 2027, when the Party Congress would select a new leader.
Return of Hu Jintao: The recent reappearance of Hu Jintao, 87, who had ruled China for more than decade, 2003-13, is being interpreted as one of the most visible signs of Xi’s weakening influence. During his regime, he had promoted the governance should be based on the time-tested principles of “scientific, democratic, and law-based decision-making.” Also, he is believed to be chosen by Deng Xiaoping, who had introduced a unique capitalist model on the steel framework of the CCP. He had fathered a corporate approach to diplomacy i.e. using various Chinese business corporations promoting China’s geo-political interests. It is being joking stated that the British had only one East India Company, but China has a number of such outfits promoting China’s influence in Africa, Latin America, and other developing regions of the world.
The articles highlighting Hu-era governance principles, such as “scientific, democratic, and law-based decision-making” published on May 19 this year, in both People’s Daily and Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, appears to have further triggered the discussions regarding the political decline of Xi Jinping. It may be recalled that Hu was publicly humiliated and escorted out of the closing session of the CCP’s 20th National Congress in October 2022.
Meanwhile, the reappearance of Hu Chunhua, a former Politburo member and long-time Youth League figure, who too was side-lined at the 20th National Congress, has prompted the intense discussions regarding the removal of Xi Jinping in the independent Chinese media worldwide. He has recently been to va few African countries on a diplomatic mission.
These developments, according to a U.S.-based commentator Chen Pokong, indicate that these moves clearly signal the political comeback of the anti-Xi Jinping faction. Also, Yao Cheng, a former lieutenant colonel of the CCP’s navy who fled to the United States in 2016, has recently claimed before a few US-based Chinese journalists that Xi’s real power has essentially evaporated by now, leaving only a nominal title. “He will step down as general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the Central Military Commission, retaining only the ceremonial title of China’s chairman, before fully retiring at the 21st National Congress,” Yao claimed.
Unfortunately, all this information available in the Indian media are just being quoted from the other or non-Indian sources need to studied. Neither Indian diplomats nor media could access first-hand information about Beijing’s ongoing political developments.
Gopal Misra has been associated with national and international media. His books on journalism and geo-politics have been well-appreciated. Views are personal.
