An image circulating online shows a fat elderly man (right) at the torture scene, bearing an 80% resemblance to Xi Jinping’s brother Xi Yuanping (left). The man reportedly stayed on-site until Yu’s death before leaving. (Video screenshot)
[People News] Fang Hongwei, the Secretary of the Xi'an Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, has been notably absent from key events for several days, prompting speculation from observers. According to Hong Kong media, on Wednesday (November 5), Fang was intercepted by disciplinary inspection officials while en route to an event and taken away for investigation. Overseas media figure Jiang Wangzheng disclosed that Fang Hongwei, along with his four secretaries responsible for personal affairs, confidential matters, duty, and security, was taken to Tianjin, the domain of Chen Min'er, for interrogation during a visit to Guanyin. He predicts that Fang's ultimate fate may involve demotion to deputy director and retirement, as he reportedly possesses over 4 billion yuan, with more than 3 billion yuan allegedly given to Xi Yuanping.
Sources indicate that the Xi'an Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China convened a cadre meeting on November 7 to announce the official decision to conduct a disciplinary review and supervisory investigation into Fang Hongwei for serious violations of discipline and law.
1. The Fang Hongwei Case and Its Connection to Prince Xi Yuanping
During the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held on October 20, Fang Hongwei, the current Secretary of the Xi'an Municipal Committee, was one of the candidate central committee members who were 'skipped' during the supplementary appointments.
Public records reveal that the 59-year-old Fang Hongwei hails from Fuping, Shaanxi. In 2015, he became a member of the Standing Committee of the Baoji Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor, later taking on various roles, including Vice Mayor of Weinan, Mayor of Hanzhong, and Secretary of the Hanzhong Municipal Committee.
Jiang Wangzheng has revealed that Fang Hongwei is implicated in the Yao Lijun case, which is linked to 'prince' Xi Yuanping, who has been stationed in Shaanxi for an extended period and represents Xi Jinping in family matters.
On July 19, 2025, the Central 15th Inspection Team arrived in Shaanxi, potentially revisiting the case of Yao Lijun, the former head of the Xi'an Propaganda Department, who was taken away for investigation in February 2025 due to serious disciplinary violations and illegal activities.
Public records indicate that Yao Lijun, a male of Han ethnicity, was born in February 1965 in Xunyi, Shaanxi. He previously held the position of a member of the Standing Committee of the Xi'an Municipal Committee in Shaanxi Province and served as the head of the Propaganda Department. In 2017, Yao became the chairman of Xi'an Qujiang Cultural Industry Investment (Group) Co., Ltd., during which he was implicated in a significant embezzlement case.
According to revelations from Jiang Wangzheng, Yao Lijun displayed extreme arrogance after his detention, as he was a close associate of Xi Yuanping. "Yao's corrupt earnings were distributed as follows: 60% to Xi Yuanping, 20% to Fang Hongwei, and he kept 20% for himself. Yao transferred 180 million Hong Kong dollars to Fang Hongwei's account in Hong Kong." Based on this distribution, Xi Yuanping would have received 540 million Hong Kong dollars, while Yao retained 180 million for himself. Yao believed that Xi Yuanping and Fang Hongwei would come to his rescue, but when help did not arrive, he voluntarily confessed after the inspection team took over.
Jiang Wangzheng noted, "He never mentioned Xi Yuanping before, but later he couldn't stop referring to him." Xi Yuanping appeared to respond by promising to allow Yao Lijun to receive medical treatment outside of prison, but Yao had lost faith in this promise. He documented every task assigned by Xi Yuanping and Fang Hongwei in WeChat. Commentators have pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party's top officials monitor their subordinates in real-time, and Yao's criminal activities are well-documented and easily accessible, raising questions about the true target of this inspection.
Jiang Wangzheng explained that the main figures behind this inspection are Zhao Yide, the current Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee and a member of Xi Jinping's Zhejiang New Army, and Li Jianmin from the inspection team, who is associated with former Politburo Standing Committee member Yu Zhengsheng. There are three reasons why Zhao Yide is involved in this case concerning Xi Yuanping: first, Zhao Yide was a strong candidate for the Politburo before the Fourth Plenary Session but was ultimately passed over. Second, Premier Li Qiang advised him that he cannot keep retreating. Third, Zhao Yide often faces criticism.
As the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, to whom could Zhao Yide be receiving criticism? Jiang Wangzheng clarified that he is under pressure from two former provincial party secretaries and their wives: one is Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and the other is Liu Guozhong, a Vice Premier of the State Council.
Another individual mentioned by Jiang Wangzheng, whom he later dismissed, is Xi Yuanping, the distant relative of the prince. Jiang noted that Xi Yuanping holds a very high position within the party, ranking above Guangdong Provincial Party Secretary Huang Kunming. When dining with him, Zhao Leji must play a supporting role, truly a 'prince.' Jiang humorously remarked, 'If Zhao Yide is dining and answering calls, nodding at the air while saying 'yes, yes, yes,' he is actually on the phone with Xi Yuanping.' He also mentioned that Xi Yuanping called, saying, 'Come over tonight.' However, he quickly denied this, asserting that it absolutely did not happen. Regarding Xi Yuanping, Jiang Wangzheng received another tip-off: 'Xi Jinping does not allow Xi Yuanping to come to Beijing casually, stating, 'If there’s something, you can go; if not, you cannot go.' Additionally, when visiting Shenzhen to see Qi Xin, he cannot interact with local officials.'
This revelation is quite thought-provoking. First, how could Zhao Yide, who is safeguarding the esteemed position of a distant relative prince, be criticised by Zhao Leji and Liu Guozhong? Why jokingly mention Xi Yuanping seeking out Zhao Yide at night?
During the military parade, Xi Yuanping made an appearance in Beijing. Why is it said that he cannot visit Beijing casually? Jiang also noted that Xi Yuanping is quite powerful, as he dares to protect individuals involved in blatant criminal cases. This inevitably brings to mind the recent criminal case concerning Yu Menglong, doesn't it? Jiang further pointed out that Zhao Yide's investigation of Fang Hongwei occurred on September 17, which coincidentally marks the seventh day after the incident involving Yu Menglong.
2. Is Xi Yuanping involved in the Yu Menglong case?
Previously, fans of Jiang Wangzheng had repeatedly asked him to clarify the truth behind the Yu Menglong case, but he declined. This time, while the revelation did not explicitly mention it, those in the know understand that Xi Yuanping is closely linked to the Yu Menglong case.
The first to confirm that the key figure behind the Yu case is Xi Yuanping was mainland actress Zhang Xiaomin. She claims to be a former friend of Cheng Qingsong and had been in contact with him after the incident. Zhang Xiaomin disclosed that, based on the information she gathered, Xi Yuanping was mentioned in the Yu Menglong case from the outset, prompting a gag order issued personally by Xi Jinping. Subsequently, Zhang Xiaomin released a short video inspired by a netizen's dream, which roughly depicted how Yu Menglong was sacrificed. After he actively resisted, he recorded evidence of their money laundering activities, using this as leverage to negotiate with them, which ultimately led to his silencing.
Jiang Wangzheng's revelation indicated that Fang Hongwei's wife has opened three currency exchange companies in Hong Kong, and he has retained documents related to currency exchanges involving Xi Yuanping and Liu Guozhong. Could this be classified as 'money laundering'? This seems to further substantiate Xi Yuanping's involvement in the Yu Menglong case.
3. The power struggle between Xi Yuanping and Peng Liyuan.
Jiang Wangzheng suggested that he was tasked by Zhao Yide to reveal information, indicating that the truth behind the Fang Hongwei case is highly complex, and the other party requested him to clarify the situation. Zhao Yide's harsh measures against Fang Hongwei were intended to protect Xi Yuanping, resulting in Fang Hongwei taking the fall for the entire political landscape in Shaanxi. The case targets Liu Guozhong and Yin Li in their competition for Ding Xuexiang's position as 'Standing Committee member and First Vice Premier', while also affecting Wang Zhonglin and Wang Hao in their struggle for leadership roles in Xinjiang or Tianjin, and further impacting Xing Shanping and Fang Hongwei in their contest for the governorship held by Zhao Gang. It appears that Fang Hongwei may end up shouldering all the blame alone this time.
Zhao Yide, Liu Guozhong, and Wang Zhonglin are aligned with the Xi Yuanping faction, while Zhao Wei, Yin Li, and Wang Hao are associated with the Peng Liyuan faction. Jiang Wangzheng explained that this situation represents a 'power struggle between Xi Yuanping's associates and Peng Liyuan's close allies'. Earlier, the self-media outlet 'Neican (You Liao)' reported that Xi Yuanping supports Xi Jinping's illegitimate son as his successor, which has faced strong opposition from Peng Liyuan and her daughter. Jiang's disclosures further corroborate this narrative. In essence, the covert conflict between Xi Yuanping and Peng Liyuan revolves around their respective candidates for the position of political minister.
The true perpetrator in the Yu Menglong case remains unresolved. Whether Xi Yuanping is protecting the actual culprit involved in the case or is simply acting for financial gain, it is Peng Liyuan who is betraying her distant relative Wang. Previously, during her power struggle with Zhang Youxia, Peng Liyuan's standing in the military had already become tenuous, and if she were to lose to Xi Yuanping again, the future for Peng Liyuan and her daughter could be dire.
(People News first published)
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