Inside Story: Zhang Youxia Planned a Coup on January 30, Xi Struck Back 10 Days Early

March 11, 2023: Senior members of the CCP’s Central Military Commission line up to take the oath at the National People’s Congress. From right to left: Zhang Youxia, He Weidong, Li Shangfu, Liu Zhenli, Miao Hua, Zhang Shengmin. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

[People News] The investigation into Zhang Youxia, the second-in-command of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, has triggered an unprecedented political storm in Zhongnanhai. New insider information has emerged regarding the deadly power struggle between Zhang Youxia and Xi Jinping. Reports suggest that Zhang had intended to initiate a military coup on January 30, 2026, but the plan was thwarted due to a leak. Following Zhang's arrest, unusual military movements have been observed nationwide, signalling that a dramatic military upheaval is imminent in Beijing.

Coup—The Ultimate Showdown Between Military Power and Political Authority

Xi Jinping and the military faction led by Zhang Youxia have long existed in a state of mutual suspicion while exercising restraint. This precarious balance has now been shattered.

According to information from overseas media figure Jiang Wangzheng, known for revealing insider details about the CCP's political dynamics, Zhang Youxia had originally planned to detain Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Cai Qi, and other key members during a Politburo meeting scheduled for January 30, using a 'special operation' tactic. Zhang's strategy was to seize control through force and then, within three days, to push for a vote at the Politburo meeting to legitimise the military coup.

Zhang Shengmin, the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and originally part of the same interest group, leaked information to Xi Jinping, enabling Xi to gain early awareness of the situation. However, rather than planning a counteraction for January 30, Xi Jinping altered his schedule and launched a preemptive strike ten days earlier, setting a trap to capture Zhang Youxia.

While Xi Jinping holds an advantage in party management, Zhang Youxia possesses greater actual control over the military. To mitigate the potential military unrest that could arise from Zhang's arrest, Xi Jinping has adopted an extreme strategy of 'not following the rules.' Instead of convening a Politburo meeting, including a Standing Committee session, he opted for a brief 'meeting' with Li Qiang and Cai Qi before taking direct action.

Reports suggest that Zhang Youxia has been secretly transported to Shenzhen, Guangdong, where he is under complete house arrest. Huang Kunming, the Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, is a key member of the Minjiang New Army and one of Xi Jinping's trusted confidants.

Whistleblowers have revealed that Xi Jinping has demanded Zhang Youxia confess, but Zhang is unlikely to do so. Xi is now attempting to persuade him through elder figures.

Even if Zhang Youxia were to initiate a coup, he would need to consider legitimising it through a vote at the Politburo meeting. However, Xi Jinping's tendency to 'not follow the rules' at critical moments underscores the differences between the two. Xi is a power strategist who employs any means necessary and disregards principles, while Zhang, as a military leader, emphasises strict discipline and legality. In the ongoing power struggle within the Communist Party, Zhang Youxia is fated to lose.

Crucially, Zhang Youxia still hopes to adhere to legitimate procedures within the party. Ultimately, even if he were to succeed in ousting Xi Jinping, it would merely result in another individual taking his place, leaving the Communist Party system unchanged and offering no hope for China. Could this be the reason for his eventual failure? Opposition to Xi without opposing the party does not reflect the true will of the people.

Military contingency plans: Trains D966 and D968.

In this political struggle, the details are crucial for determining success or failure. Zhao Yide, the current Secretary of the Shaanxi Provincial Committee and First Secretary of the Shaanxi Military District, served under Xi Jinping during his time in Zhejiang and is viewed as a key military asset that Xi can mobilise at any moment to provide support in the event of a coup or unrest.

The strategic positioning and troop movements in Shaanxi reveal that there are two trains operating nightly from Xi'an to Beijing, which are part of a pre-planned military contingency strategy.

These trains are D966 and D968. D966 departs at 23:09 and arrives the following day at 06:47, while D968 leaves at 23:15 and arrives at 07:01 the next day. The departure times of these two trains are only 6 minutes apart, with their arrival times differing by 14 minutes.

This arrangement suggests that if an incident occurs in Beijing, soldiers can be ready for combat within 15 to 30 minutes after disembarking. While D966 and D968 typically transport passengers, they are repurposed as rapid response troop transport lines prepared by Xi Jinping's faction in the face of a potential "sudden coup" or military unrest in Beijing. This meticulous military deployment underscores Xi Jinping's profound fear of a coup.

Xi's "delaying tactic" and the standoff between the two military forces in Beijing.

After the arrests of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, their photos and resumes remain displayed on the official website of the Chinese Communist Party. Additionally, rumours and discussions are circulating online regarding 'debates within the party leadership about the legality of the arrests,' 'differing opinions within the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection,' 'third-party intervention,' and 'the possibility of Zhang and Liu being released.' Sources from Beijing have informed the People's Daily that these developments are likely part of Xi Jinping's 'strategy of doubt' combined with a 'strategy of delay.'

Why is this the case? The aim is to create hesitation and indecision among commanders across various battle zones and troops, ultimately causing them to miss opportunities for mobilisation. Xi Jinping's faction can use this limited timeframe to deploy agents, work groups, and hold meetings to arrest generals who support Zhang Youxia, thereby swiftly consolidating control over the military.

Is this possibility real? Absolutely. Since Xi Jinping has resolved to take down Zhang Youxia, there is no turning back for him. Even with rising dissent within the military party, he finds himself in a precarious position and can only continue the facade. If he were to admit fault and release Zhang Youxia, he would not only lose military power entirely but also be unable to retain his position as the top leader of the party and government.

Has this smoke screen, released by Xi Jinping's faction, truly dulled people's senses?

Recently, numerous unusual movements of personnel from the Chinese Communist military have been reported on X, and there are widespread rumours of a large number of fully armed troops flooding into Beijing. Some overseas Chinese social media users have even remarked: 'Who will fall is still unknown!'

As of January 27, the main forces of the 82nd Group Army stationed in Baoding, Hebei Province, the 83rd Group Army in Xinxiang, Henan Province, the 79th Group Army in Liaoyang and Anshan, Liaoning Province, and the 80th Group Army in Jining, Shandong Province—supporting Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli—have arrived in Beijing and its surrounding areas. They have formed an anti-Xi Jinping alliance and set up a joint command post. In the vicinity of Beijing, the anti-Xi Jinping alliance and the pro-Xi Jinping 'Imperial Guard' are currently at a stalemate.

Additionally, the 81st Group Army stationed in Zhangjiakou, Hebei, the 78th Group Army in Changchun, Jilin, the 72nd Group Army in Huzhou, Zhejiang, the 73rd Group Army in Kunming, Yunnan, the 77th Group Army in Chongqing, and the 76th Group Army in Xining, Qinghai, are still en route to Beijing.

Sources familiar with the situation indicate that for Xi Jinping, the most critical issue at this moment is not the number of troops entering Beijing, but rather his inability to command the military. The Central Military Commission is not only unable to issue orders but has also lost track of the specific locations of these group armies.

However, another leak presents a different scenario. Sheng Xue, a pro-democracy leader living in Canada, received information on January 28 from a former Chinese military officer, stating that following the arrest of Zhang Youxia, Xi Jinping is carrying out a bloody purge. It is reported that Xi has regained control of the situation, and those who disobey are eliminated. Nearly 50 aides and caretakers of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli have been killed, leaving no survivors.

(People News first published)
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