Is Xi Jinping Losing His Grip? A Downgraded Appearance in Kazakhstan, With Elders Pulling the Strings

Dark clouds hang over Tiananmen Square in Beijing. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

[People News] Recently, the political landscape in Zhongnanhai has become quite peculiar. Amidst rumours of losing power and serious illness, Xi Jinping reemerged after a two-week absence, having met with guests twice and attended two funerals. The questions surrounding his situation remain unresolved, and his visit to Kazakhstan on June 16 has sparked renewed interest.

CCTV reported that Kazakhstan rolled out the red carpet for Xi Jinping, but this was not the reality. Upon his arrival, there was no red carpet; instead, he walked on a blue plastic mat, and Peng Liyuan did not accompany him.

In May 2023, the first Central Asia Summit took place at the Xi'an International Conference Centre in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, where Peng Liyuan was present alongside him.

Political commentator Jiang Feng analysed on a program that Xi Jinping is not making a comeback on the international stage; in fact, the opposite is true—this is a carefully orchestrated technical downgrade of his appearance.

Jiang Feng noted that Xi Jinping's participation in multilateral meetings in Singapore typically involves high-profile state visits, complete with red carpets, state banquets, and full accompaniment by Peng Liyuan, who also delivers speeches and receives extensive media coverage. For instance, during the 2022 SCO Summit, CCTV provided extensive coverage, and Xinhua published five signed articles. However, this time, there was no visit, no red carpet, no speeches, and even Peng Liyuan was absent.

Jiang Feng emphasised that it is not that the host country failed to make arrangements. Rather, the party is preventing Xi Jinping from taking such actions, and at the same time, he himself is unable to maintain his position.

State visits encompass a range of activities, including walking the red carpet, inspecting the honour guard, meeting with various political leaders, engaging in formal discussions, signing agreements, issuing joint statements, and holding press conferences. This entire process typically spans at least two to three days, with numerous events demanding both physical and mental endurance. Jiang Feng raises the question, 'Can Xi Jinping manage this now?' 

Regarding the rationale behind Xi Jinping's visit, Jiang Feng suggests that this summit serves as a means for the elders of the Communist Party to have Xi Jinping stabilise the situation and maintain consistency in domestic and international public opinion, while in reality, Xi Jinping's power has already been transferred. 

In his remarks, Tokayev praised Xi Jinping as an 'outstanding politician,' a 'visionary leader with high prestige,' and 'far-sighted.' However, these accolades were omitted from reports by the official Chinese media, indicating clear signs of Xi Jinping's waning power. 

Moreover, Xi Jinping's birthday on June 15 has just passed, and Kazakh President Tokayev wished him good health, family happiness, and greater success in governance.' The term 'good health' has once again become a sensitive phrase and was removed, further suggesting that Xi Jinping may not be in good health. 

Reports indicate that since June, Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, has been leading an extended meeting of the Military Commission that lasted over ten days. This high-level meeting requires the attendance of key figures from various military branches and services. The focus of the meeting is to abolish the theatre command system and reconstruct the four headquarters. The theatre command system was a significant military reform promoted by Xi Jinping, and such a decision could not have originated from him. Jiang Feng notes that only in the context of Xi Jinping's diminishing real power would Zhang Youxia feel emboldened to take such decisive actions. There must be higher-level authorisation behind Zhang Youxia's manoeuvres.

(Originally published by People News)