People s Daily Article Signals: Li Qiang as Successor

The image shows Chinese Premier Li Qiang. (Jeon Heon-kyun - Pool/Getty Images)

[People News] On July 28, 2025, the People's Daily published an article titled "Comprehensively Strengthen Political Responsibility, Implement Detailed Flood Prevention Measures, and Fully Ensure the Safety of People's Lives and Property." The article begins by mentioning Xi Jinping's directives and emphasizes them, with the final paragraph featuring comments from Li Qiang, the Premier of the State Council of the Communist Party of China, regarding disaster relief efforts. This marks a clear departure from previous practices.

In contrast, on July 26, 2024, the People's Daily published an article titled "The Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Holds a Meeting to Study and Deploy Flood Prevention and Disaster Relief Work—General Secretary Xi Jinping Presides Over the Meeting," in which Li Qiang's name was notably absent.

The recent unusual events surrounding Li Qiang are not isolated. From July 6 to 7, Li Qiang represented Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Brazil. On July 19, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Yaxia Hydropower Station, he was the only member of the seven-member Standing Committee to attend. Although he did not deliver a speech and merely announced the start of the project, his presence still indicated a move towards assuming power.

Overseas media figure Jiang Wangzheng has recently reported that Li Qiang is Xi Jinping's most trusted ally and is recognised as the successor by the elder faction. This suggests that Li Qiang may become the successor acknowledged by various factions within the Communist Party of China.

On July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen referred to the Communist Party's Beidaihe meeting as a "conclave," indicating that the U.S. was likely aware in advance of personnel changes within the Communist Party's senior leadership.

There have been a series of personnel changes within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recently. Jiang Wangzheng explained that these changes signal a transition of power. Additionally, the process of promoting officials has changed; they will no longer work in familiar environments with known subordinates. In the future, government officials will experience continuous shifts in their work areas and teams to prevent corruption.

The Asia Sentinel has also reported on the shifts within the CCP's upper echelons. On July 10, the article titled "Analysts Speculate Xi is Losing Power" noted that during negotiations with the U.S. on June 10-11, CCP officials were reporting the negotiation status to He Lifeng, who, as Vice Premier, is subordinate to Premier Li Qiang.

From July 12 to 18, Australian Prime Minister Albanese conducted an official visit to China, where he first met with Li Qiang in Shanghai and toured the World Expo. During this visit, Li Qiang arranged for a business delegation to meet with their Australian counterparts, suggesting that all key issues were resolved during this time.

Recently, senior CCP officials have once again gone into hiding. Observers suggest that this indicates the Beidaihe meeting is currently taking place. Perhaps the overall situation has already been decided, and the CCP is merely releasing information abroad as a smokescreen to conceal larger secrets. We cannot know for certain and can only wait and see.

Marxism is a malevolent force. If Xi Jinping does indeed fall from power, I hope the new CCP government will swiftly sever ties with it and focus on doing more tangible and beneficial work for the common people.

(Originally published by the People News) △