Absurd and Disturbing: Mrs Li Xi Takes a Jab at Peng Liyuan, Xi's Signing of the Surrender Document is as Lifeless as Ashes

Image: During the March 2024 Two Sessions, Xi Jinping was photographed by foreign media in the Great Hall of the People with an expression of extreme pain while drinking tea. (Illustration by Qing Yu/People News)

[People News] This past Christmas, an absurd and disturbing palace drama unfolded in Zhongnanhai. Recent reports from the Xinhua News Agency are quite intriguing. According to official accounts, from December 25 to 26, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held two significant meetings back-to-back.

Why did one meeting need to extend over two days? Is there something suspicious at play? Let's first consider the official explanation. Following the Communist Party's tradition, a democratic life meeting does indeed require two days, as it involves criticism and self-criticism; in simpler terms, everyone must undergo scrutiny, exposing their shortcomings for evaluation.

However, the meetings held this year over these two days are shrouded in mystery. This is a classic yin-yang scenario. The yang aspect is for CCTV's viewing: dressed in formal suits and sitting upright, Xi Jinping delivered a summary speech, stressing strict regulations and firm measures, assuring the entire party and nation that the core leadership is stable and the atmosphere is clear and upright.

The yin aspect pertains to what transpired behind closed doors that day. The cameras were removed, and the events of that day were certainly not meant for public viewing. These usually esteemed and upright vice-ministerial officials sat there with their wives, resembling schoolchildren caught in wrongdoing, reflecting on their missteps.

Mrs Li Xi Takes a Jab at Peng Liyuan

According to exclusive insights from Mr Jiang Wangzheng, that night in Zhongnanhai, the atmosphere was not filled with a solemn political ambience, but rather a blend of alcohol, tension, and the scent of cosmetics. This was an exceedingly absurd beginning.

Reports suggest that prior to the meeting, Li Qiang and Lao Xi were at the Great Hall of the People, possibly to boost their morale for the upcoming event, or perhaps overwhelmed by the chaotic situation, they turned to alcohol to ease their worries, resulting in both becoming quite inebriated. Consequently, Li Qiang arrived late to part of the meeting.

In attendance were not only the serious-faced members of the Politburo but also a unique group of listeners—their spouses. Typically authoritative vice-ministerial officials, they found themselves in a position akin to schoolchildren summoned for a parent-teacher meeting, having to bring their wives to face a moral inquiry.

A statement from the Xinhua News Agency noted that General Secretary Xi emphasised the importance of managing the people and matters around oneself. If there hadn't been a group of people present, why would he have made such a remark?

Tension filled the room as the atmosphere shifted. Amidst the scents of alcohol and perfume, who broke the silence? According to leaks, Li Xi, acting as the discipline czar, was the first to stand up and reflect, but his reflection focused not on work but on family values.

Shortly thereafter, Li Xi's wife unexpectedly stood up. Rather than launching directly into criticism, she began with a preamble, detailing her interactions with the wives of high-ranking officials from various provinces. While this seemed like a casual conversation, just as everyone let their guard down, she abruptly changed her tone and directly called out Ma Xingrui's wife, Rong Li.

Li Xi's wife was not merely reflecting on herself; she was acting under orders to take a stand. Although she mentioned Ma Xingrui's wife, Rong Li, it is widely recognised that the influential figure behind Rong Li, the significant support she relies on, is none other than Peng Liyuan.

This action has official backing. Anyone can check the fourth page of the People's Daily from December 25, where, on the same day, the Political Bureau convened, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) issued an unusual document titled 'Guidelines for Investigating New Types of Corruption and Hidden Corruption Issues.'

Note these eight words: new type of corruption, hidden corruption. What does 'hidden' mean? It refers not to direct monetary exchanges, but to the use of influence, artworks, and specific relationships—such as close friends and 'white gloves'—to facilitate the transfer of benefits.

This document is clearly designed as an arrest warrant targeting Peng Liyuan's artistic circle and Ma Xingrui's Guangdong network. The authorities first published the legal interpretation and then proceeded to follow the leads during the meeting, indicating that preparations for arrests were underway.

Thus, this represents a carefully orchestrated palace coup. The anti-corruption sword is directed at the skirts of the harem, signalling the collapse of the family-state system that Xi Jinping sought to establish in the winter of 2025.

Xi Jinping's written resignation is as lifeless as ashes.

Many may wonder why Xi Jinping tolerated such humiliation. Why didn’t he take a stand? The reason lies behind that tightly shut door, where a political negotiation had already occurred.

In this negotiation, Xi Jinping lacked the confidence to take drastic action. On the other side of the negotiation table were the restoration elders led by Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, alongside Zhang Youxia, who held military power and observed the situation with a cold eye.

What leverage do the elders possess? They hold potentially devastating blackmail material. This evidence not only implicates Ma Xingrui but also directly points to the Peng Liyuan family and their close associates, who are suspected of significant corruption, backed by irrefutable proof.

They presented the evidence forcefully on the table, offering Xi Jinping two choices. The first choice is a dead end: if you continue to resist, we will make these scandals public, and you and your wife could end up as the next couple to be imprisoned in Qincheng.

The second choice is a dignified exit: if you surrender real power and cooperate with our personnel arrangements, we will ensure you avoid prison, protect your family's safety, and allow you to retain a nominal title, similar to how Hua Guofeng faded into the background, enjoying a peaceful retirement.

Observing Xi Jinping, who appeared ashen on the news broadcast, many wondered which path he would take. There is no doubt he chose the second option.

To safeguard his final refuge, he handed over the keys. This clarifies the puzzling scene at the recent military promotion ceremony, where Xi Jinping read from a script mechanically, resembling a shop assistant, while Zhang Youxia sat relaxed in the background.

That was not the look of a deputy observing a superior; it was the gaze of a prison guard watching an inmate. He was right there, ensuring that Xi Jinping followed the script laid out by the elders and completed this performance.

So, when will this performance be fully revealed? The earliest possibility is at the Fifth Plenary Session of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, scheduled to open on January 12, 2026.

However, Ma Xingrui is a member of the Politburo, and according to protocol, shouldn't there first be a meeting of the Central Politburo for discussion, followed by a report from Xinhua News Agency? How could the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's plenary session be the one to make the announcement?

This is precisely the most dramatic aspect of this soft coup. Just consider, if a Politburo meeting were held according to standard procedures, and Xi Jinping remained in that position, he would have veto power; he could delay decisions or protect himself.

However, the elder faction and Zhang Youxia have bypassed the Politburo and directly activated the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The likely scenario is as follows: during the plenary session on January 12, the CCDI's work report will, for the first time, directly name Ma Xingrui, labelling him as a typical case of extreme political ambition and a serious threat to party unity.

This indicates that Xi Jinping has been stripped of even the chance to stage a performance to protect his favoured officials. He must sit on the podium, expressionless, as he listens to his confidant being publicly condemned, and even lead the applause to demonstrate his unwavering support.

This is what is referred to as 'pointing at the mulberry tree while scolding the locust tree'; it is akin to 'killing a chicken to scare the monkey.' When the entire party observes that even a powerful figure like Ma Xingrui, a key individual connected to the inner circle, can be taken down directly without going through the General Secretary, everyone will quickly realise that the person once considered untouchable can no longer safeguard his team.

He signed that behind-the-scenes agreement, consenting to hand over his associates in exchange for his own dignity. This reflects the harsh political logic of the Chinese Communist Party—there is no need to announce the emperor's abdication; it suffices to publicly execute his most trusted general in front of him, and all officials will understand who truly holds power in the current regime.

Additionally, there is an unusual detail from this meeting: Cai Qi may resign from his position as the head of the General Office. Who is Cai Qi? He is currently the Grand Secretary, wielding significant influence in both the political arena and the court.

At this critical moment, why does he wish to step down? Reports suggest that Cai Qi has privately indicated a desire to take it easy and accompany Xi Jinping in his final journey. Even a core confidant like Cai Qi senses the implications of the impending downfall.

He does not wish to remain on this powder keg until it explodes. Instead, he aims to achieve a soft landing before the legendary deadline of 2026 arrives.

If even the chief steward is looking to abandon ship, just how dire must the situation be?

(Excerpted from Jiang Feng Shijie)
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