March 10, 2025, Beijing Great Hall of the People—A security guard stands at the entrance before the closing ceremony of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. (WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)
[People News] As the grand military parade on September 3 approaches, it is expected to be one of the most significant events for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) this year, as they aim to bolster their image. However, the overall commander for the parade has yet to be appointed, suggesting that the internal power struggles within the CCP's military remain intense. The ongoing purge within the military is unlikely to be paused for the parade; rather, it may accelerate, continuing unabated until the Fourth Plenary Session.
On August 30, prominent overseas media figure Cai Shenkun disclosed in his YouTube program that Zhong Shaojun, a close ally of Xi Jinping and former director of the Military Affairs Office, has been removed from his position at the National Defence University of the People's Liberation Army. Cai Shenkun noted that if this information is confirmed, it would be explosive news, indicating that the military purge has not slowed down. For Zhong Shaojun, this dismissal could be both a disaster and a blessing, but the public may have to wait a few more days for definitive information.
In fact, if Zhong Shaojun has indeed been dismissed, his situation is likely dire, and he may be in serious trouble. Just on August 19, the Singapore Ministry of Defence's Facebook page reported that Permanent Secretary Chan Heng Kee visited Beijing from August 18 to 19, where he met with CCP Minister of Defence Dong Jun, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff Department Xu Qiling, Academy of Military Sciences President Yang Xuejun, and National Defence University Political Commissar Zhong Shaojun, among others. The post included several photos from these meetings.
The sitting posture of Zhong Shaojun and Chen Qingji during their meeting has ignited considerable public debate. Zhong Shaojun was seen almost half-reclining against the back of the sofa, while Dong Jun maintained a very formal and upright posture, adhering to diplomatic etiquette. This body language suggests that Zhong Shaojun is either giving up and adopting a laid-back attitude or has grown accustomed to a life of luxury in the military, appearing arrogant and dismissive of his guests. Even more strangely, news of Zhong Shaojun's public appearance seems to have been entirely suppressed online in mainland China; a search for his name on Weibo results in the message, 'Sorry, no relevant results found.'
Zhong Shaojun, born in October 1968 in Kaihua, Zhejiang, is regarded as a key figure in Xi Jinping's Zhejiang New Army. He previously held the position of deputy director of the Organisation Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China and was transferred in 2007 to serve as the deputy director of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China. In June 2013, he was appointed as the deputy director of the General Office of the Central Military Commission and the director of the office of the chairman of the Central Military Commission. In August 2017, he became the director of the General Office of the Central Military Commission. On April 26, 2024, the pro-Communist Hong Kong media outlet Sing Tao Daily reported that Fang Yongxiang, who rose through the ranks of the 31st Army, had succeeded Zhong Shaojun as the director of the General Office of the Central Military Commission, becoming Xi Jinping's new 'big steward' in the military. The unspoken truth that the Hong Kong media refrained from mentioning is that Xi Jinping has lost influence within the military, and Zhong Shaojun has been demoted to serve as a political commissar at the National Defence University. Additionally, Fang Yongxiang, who took over, was rumoured to have been ousted by Zhang Youxia this year. On August 20, during Xi Jinping's meeting with troops stationed in Lhasa, General Fang Yongxiang, the 59-year-old director of the General Office of the Central Military Commission, was notably absent, raising concerns that he may have encountered difficulties.
Following the incidents involving Miao Hua, the Director of the Political Department of the Military Commission, and He Weidong, the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, has effectively assumed control of military power, which casts a darker shadow over Zhong Shaojun's future in the military. There are rumours that Zhong Shaojun has been dismissed from his role as Political Commissar of the National Defence University, raising serious concerns about his prospects.
The website of the National Defence University of the People's Liberation Army does not provide information to the public, effectively rendering it without an official site. As a result, it is challenging for outsiders to obtain updates regarding the leadership of the National Defence University. However, an introduction to the National Defence University can be found in the national higher education information inquiry system. Surprisingly, this introduction states: 'The National Defence University of the People's Liberation Army is China's highest military academy and the only advanced contract command school of the Chinese military, directly under the leadership of the Central Military Commission.' It further notes, 'The National Defence University adheres to the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and Deng Xiaoping's military construction thought in the new era, based on the military strategic guidelines of the Military Commission in the new era.' This introduction, which exceeds 1,300 words, notably omits any mention of Xi Jinping, his thoughts on strengthening the military, or his thoughts on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. The last update to this introduction was on May 21, 2025.
The absence of any mention of Xi Jinping in the introduction of the National Defence University is quite unusual. This top military academy in China, which is directly under the Central Military Commission, has deliberately omitted the name of Xi Jinping, the Chairman of the Military Commission and supreme commander, from its official external communications. What does this signify? Zhong Shaojun has been demoted to the National Defence University for over a year. As Xi Jinping's close aide and the military's internal steward, he should have a keen political sensitivity. How could he not have noticed this glaring oversight at the National Defence University? How could he not have taken steps to correct it? The underlying reason may be that he feels powerless to intervene, unable to safeguard himself, let alone his master. Furthermore, Zhong Shaojun's downfall seems to be linked to the diminishing power of Xi Jinping.
Following Xi Jinping's visit to Tibet, he appears to have regained prominence in the Chinese Communist Party's media. Official announcements have Xi Jinping reviewing troops during the September 3 military parade, with Zhang Youxia delivering a speech in praise of him, which suggests he still wields significant power. However, rumours about Xi Jinping's diminishing authority continue to circulate. Notably, when Xi met with the stationed troops in Tibet, the commander of the Tibet Military District, Wang Kai, was absent and is reportedly under investigation. While Wang Kai has military connections with Zhang Youxia, it was Xi Jinping who promoted him, indicating he likely aligns with Xi's faction. Accompanying Xi Jinping was Zhang Shengmin, a member of the Military Commission and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, who is seen as a potential successor to Miao Hua as the director of the Political Department, thus positioning him as an ally of Zhang Youxia.
On the 28th, commentator Tang Jingyuan disclosed exclusively on social media that he had received information from several insiders within the system. The Hu-Wang alliance has reportedly been confirmed, with Hu Chunhua set to become General Secretary and Wang Yang appointed as Premier. Furthermore, Wang Huning has allegedly turned against the faction to support Hu and Wang. This revelation aligns with Hu Chunhua's recent high-profile visit to Tibet alongside Xi Jinping.
In another development, the blogger Tianji Zhinan published an article titled 'Miao Hua Actively Reveals Details and Truth About Xi Jinping's Family Embezzling Huge Military Funds,' which claims that Xi Jinping's family has long treated the military as a source of funds, controlling and embezzling billions from military resources. Overseas media figure Jiang Wangzheng reported that Xi's military aide Ma Xingrui is in serious trouble, with his secretary having been arrested and placed under surveillance.
Ahead of the September 3 military parade and the Fourth Plenary Session, the Chinese Communist Party is still required to produce official documents to maintain an appearance of harmony and unity within the party. Observers are waiting for the grand performance of the Fourth Plenary Session, at which point the potential rise of Hu and the decline of Xi may become evident.
(First published by People News) △
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