The image shows representatives from the Chinese military attending the Two Sessions in Beijing. (Video screenshot)
People News: The situation within the CCP military is somewhat peculiar. On one hand, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia has been assertive, making frequent appearances, leading to speculation that Xi Jinping’s control over the military may be slipping. On the other hand, the rocket force and military-industrial systems Xi built are collapsing entirely, but it is unclear who is behind this. Recently, two members of the military-industrial faction were absent from a high-level meeting, sparking suspicions that they may have been detained. Furthermore, more signs suggest that a corruption case within the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is unfolding, putting two senior military-industrial figures in the Politburo who are close to Xi in potential danger.
Absence of Two High-Ranking Military-Industrial Officials at an Important Meeting Is Unusual
At the provincial-ministerial level meeting on October 29, Xi Jinping softened his tone in his speech, calling for an “enhanced sense of political responsibility” and “greater consistency in reform orientation,” indirectly confirming that CCP high-level officials are showing apathy and holding divergent views.
Reports online indicated that Lei Fanpei, Executive Deputy Director (ministerial level) of the Office of the Central Military-Civil Fusion Development Committee, and Zhang Kejian, Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology and Director of the National Defense Science, Technology, and Industry Administration, were both absent from the October 29 meeting, which required participation from leaders of provincial-ministerial level units from the Party, government, and military.
Reviewing the CCTV news footage and comparing with photos of Lei Fanpei and Zhang Kejian, it appears they were indeed absent from the meeting.
On October 28, mainland media personality Li Weiao posted on Weibo that a “certain deputy minister who is also a bureau director has been taken away for two weeks.”
One netizen appeared to have insider information: “Zhang Ke…,” “Defense industry system?” “Science and Industry Bureau?” “Zhang from Kunshan?”
Public information shows that Zhang Kejian, born in July 1961 in Kunshan, Jiangsu, once served as Party Secretary of the China Academy of Engineering Physics (a nuclear weapons research base) and has led the National Defense Science, Technology, and Industry Administration for six years. He also concurrently serves as Director of the China National Space Administration and Director of the China Atomic Energy Authority.
Sixty-one-year-old Lei Fanpei has a background in aerospace and has served as chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. He is also a member of the 20th Central Committee.
On August 20, 2022, Lei’s photo and profile were quietly removed from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s website, and rumors circulated online that he had been appointed as Executive Deputy Director of the Central Military-Civil Fusion Office, though no official information confirmed this. This contrasts with the appointment and departure of his predecessor, Jin Zhuanglong, which were publicly reported. In February of this year, Lei appeared at a State Council plenary meeting, according to official media footage.
The CCP’s handling of Lei’s role was intentionally obscure, possibly because military-civil fusion is a highly secretive CCP project involving military purposes hidden under civilian activities, a subject closely watched by the United States.
Corruption Scandal Unfolding at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Since last year, the CCP has launched large-scale anti-corruption investigations within the military, starting with the rocket force, resulting in the downfall of dozens of generals, including two former defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu. Many top executives of military-industrial enterprises have also fallen, including Wu Yansheng, former chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation; Liu Shiquan, former chairman of China North Industries Group; and Wang Changqing, former vice president of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.
On October 25, Caixin reported that Chen Zhaoxiong, former chairman of China Electronics Technology Group, and Wu Manqing, former general manager and current vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, had been taken away. The article was later deleted, but many believe there was substance behind the report.
The fallen Wu Yansheng and the aerospace giant he led, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, have now become highly sensitive subjects. Wu’s predecessor, Lei Fanpei, had worked closely with him for many years, and Lei’s recent absence at the meeting suggests he may have been implicated.
Another event also supports the unearthing of the corruption scandal at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
On August 22, Dai Shoulun, Party Secretary of Mudanjiang City in Heilongjiang Province and a former aerospace industry official, was arrested, signaling that the investigation into military-industrial corruption has extended to local officials.
Dai, 52, hails from Qingdao, Shandong, and entered the China Academy of Space Technology in 1994, where he worked in the CCP’s aerospace system for 25 years.
The China Academy of Space Technology, also known as the Fifth Research Institute of the Ministry of Aerospace, has been part of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation since July 1999.
Starting in February 2000, Dai held various positions at the Fifth Research Institute, including Director of the Small Satellite Project Office, Assistant to the President of Dongfanghong Satellite Company, Vice President, and eventually General Manager. In April 2009, he was appointed Deputy President of the Fifth Research Institute. In September 2011, he transferred to Shanghai, where he served as Party Secretary and Deputy President of the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. He was hailed by official media as the “Young Marshal of Aerospace” for his achievements in rocket satellite launches.
In 2019, Dai was parachuted into Harbin as Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, and in March 2023, he was appointed Secretary of the Mudanjiang Municipal Party Committee until his investigation.
Mainland media reports suggest that Dai’s arrest may be related to the CCP’s backward investigation of aerospace system corruption over the past 10 years. In its report on Dai’s downfall, Caixin noted that Wu Yansheng, chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, was removed from his position as a national CPPCC member on December 27, 2023.
Wu Yansheng had worked at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation since January 2002, serving as Deputy General Manager, General Manager, and, in May 2018, Chairman, and had years of professional overlap with Dai Shoulun.
Reviewing the resumes of current high-ranking CCP officials reveals at least three who overlapped with Wu Yansheng and Dai Shoulun at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, either as colleagues or direct superiors.
One is Lei Fanpei, now a Central Committee member and Executive Deputy Director of the Military-Civil Fusion Office, who was absent from the recent high-level meeting. He joined the predecessor of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation in 1987 and held various positions from 2002, including Director of the Sixth Research Institute and Deputy General Manager, eventually serving as Chairman from May 2014 until August 2022.
Another is Politburo member and Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui, who served as Deputy President of the Fifth Research Institute from 1996 and Deputy General Manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation from 2007 to 2013. He later served as Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Director of the National Space Administration, and Director of the National Defense Science and Technology Administration, before moving to local government positions in Guangdong and Xinjiang.
The third is Politburo member and Chongqing Party Secretary Yuan Jiajun, who joined the Fifth Research Institute in 1987, holding various positions from 1996, including Deputy President and Vice President of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. He transitioned to local government roles in Ningxia, Zhejiang, and Chongqing starting in 2012.
The recent downfall of Wu Yansheng, Dai Shoulun, and possibly Lei Fanpei raises questions about Ma Xingrui and Yuan Jiajun, who also came from the same military-industrial unit and had overlapping careers with the above-mentioned officials.
Xi’s Dismantling of the Military-Industrial Faction Is a Last Resort
Wu Guoguang, a researcher at the Asia Society think tank, described the five military-industrial officials Xi promoted to the Politburo at the 20th Congress as the “Military-Industrial Five”: Liu Guozhong, promoted from Shaanxi Party Secretary to Vice Premier; Zhang Guoqing, from Liaoning Party Secretary to Vice Premier; Yuan Jiajun, from Zhejiang Party Secretary to Chongqing Party Secretary; Ma Xingrui, Xinjiang Party Secretary; and Li Ganjie, from Shandong Party Secretary to Minister of Organization.
Among them, Ma Xingrui and Yuan Jiajun served at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation; Zhang Guoqing was once General Manager of China North Industries Group; Liu Guozhong graduated from the Department of Ammunition Engineering at East China Engineering College and worked at China’s first aerial bomb manufacturing plant; Li Ganjie graduated from Tsinghua University’s Nuclear Reactor Engineering and Safety program and once worked at the State Nuclear Safety Administration.
Xi’s appointment of these military-industrial figures is generally seen as aligning with his ambitions to challenge the United States. However, like the rocket force, a crucial military branch that Xi established only to be rocked by corruption scandals and allegations of disloyalty, Xi’s military-industrial faction is now facing similar problems.
On October 28, the Politburo reviewed the report from the Central Committee’s third round of inspections, with Xi again stressing the need to maintain high anti-corruption pressure. But, after the 20th Congress, the regime claimed an “overwhelming victory” in anti-corruption, yet a wave of officials promoted by Xi have since fallen. This makes Xi’s anti-corruption rhetoric seem increasingly weak.
Xi’s decision to purge “his own people” appears to be a last resort. On one hand, the fallen “tigers” may betray each other to save themselves. Dai Shoulun may have been implicated by Wu Yansheng, and Lei Fanpei could be another “victim.” On the other hand, recent reports indicate that Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, has gained support from CCP elders, which might mean Xi is losing military control. If so, the downfall of Xi’s confidants could be the result of efforts by anti-Xi forces.
Though Xi is reluctant to touch the Politburo due to concerns over regime stability and his reputation, the anti-corruption campaign in the military cannot be reversed. His selective anti-corruption drive has triggered backlash, with senior military veterans eager to report to Zhang Youxia. If Central Committee member Lei Fanpei falls, can Politburo members Ma Xingrui and Yuan Jiajun remain unaffected?
If the regime’s investigation of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation only covers the past 10 years, Yuan Jiajun and Ma Xingrui, who left in 2012 and 2013 respectively, may escape scrutiny. However, such superficial anti-corruption measures can only temporarily sustain the regime’s stability, leading to an inevitable explosion of crises in the near future.
(Reposted from Dajiyuan)
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