Zhang Youxia’s Son Suspects His Father Has Died, Calls for Investigation into the Truth

Zhang Youxia’s Son Suspects His Father Has Died, Calls for Investigation into the Truth

[People News] Independent media figure “Lao Deng” revealed another explosive claim on the 20th. According to information he received, Zhang Shen, the son of Zhang Youxia, recently sent a letter to the CCP Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission. In the letter, he expressed grief and said he suspects that his father, General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, may have died during detention at an interrogation base run by the Ministry of Public Security.

In the letter, Zhang Shen stated that his father was taken away directly on January 20 while attending a seminar at the Central Party School, less than a month ago. He emphasized that Zhang Youxia had been loyal throughout his life, rising from a veteran of the Vietnam War to Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and had never opposed the “Chairman of the Central Military Commission responsibility system.”

Zhang Shen questioned the procedure of his father’s arrest. He argued that as a Politburo member, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and National People’s Congress representative, any investigation of Zhang Youxia should have been led by Party disciplinary and military disciplinary bodies and discussed by the Politburo. However, Xi Jinping allegedly bypassed all legal procedures, directly deploying the Ministry of Public Security’s special service bureau to carry out the arrest and detaining him in a non-military facility.

Zhang Shen stated that his father had always been in good health. If he truly died suddenly during detention, without any official notification, medical records, or family presence, this would be unacceptable. He urgently called for the establishment of a joint investigation team to uncover the truth and requested that family members be allowed to handle funeral arrangements.

If this claim proves true, Zhang Youxia’s sudden death could become a trigger for unrest within the military. In the letter, Zhang Shen reportedly warned that instability within the armed forces is already a fact, and many former subordinates are reaching the limits of their restraint.

The authenticity of Zhang Shen’s letter cannot be verified, and the CCP has released no information about Zhang Youxia’s current status. Reports from multiple channels vary. The more the authorities withhold information, the more rumors are likely to spread.

From January 16 to February 11, the PLA Daily reportedly mentioned Zhang Guotao six times in a row, discussing “dissatisfaction with positions” and “growing resistance,” and even emphasizing “no ambiguity” and “not fearing to tear off face.” However, the articles did not mention Zhang Youxia or Liu Zhenli by name, instead using Cultural Revolution-style criticism to insinuate matters—revealing what the article characterizes as Xi Jinping’s deep fear of a military mutiny.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding Zhang Youxia, former Premier Wen Jiabao—who had long disappeared from public view—suddenly “reappeared.”

On February 17, the first day of the Lunar New Year, a greeting card handwritten by Wen Jiabao to Liu Yachun, principal of Beichuan Middle School in Sichuan, circulated widely online. The letter was dated February 11, on the eve of the New Year.

The letter is considered significant. It first appeared on the front page of Hong Kong’s Sing Tao Daily, which is widely believed to be aligned with Xi’s faction. Even more unusually, in the past Xi Jinping and Cai Qi were said to be extremely sensitive about Wen Jiabao’s remarks; even Wen’s commemorative article about his mother published in Macau Daily had reportedly been censored online. Yet this time, Wen’s letter was not blocked and instead spread widely on WeChat and Weibo.

Why at this sensitive moment?

Beichuan Middle School was one of the hardest-hit areas during the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. At that time, Wen Jiabao rushed to the front lines and famously wrote on a blackboard, “From great hardship comes national rejuvenation.” These four characters became closely associated with Wen and were seen as symbolizing the influence of Party elders.

In the letter, Wen said he is still moved to tears when recalling teachers and students who perished in the earthquake, and he praised Beichuan Middle School for being “resilient and unyielding.” Against the backdrop of what some describe as a “political earthquake” in Zhongnanhai, the letter has been interpreted as a political metaphor. Observers believe Wen may be signaling that even amid chaos, the principles and influence of Party elders remain “unyielding”—a silent reproach to what they see as the breakdown of rules under the current leadership, and possibly Xi’s temporary attempt to seek support from senior figures.

Given Xi’s reputation for intolerance—highlighted by the public escorting out of Hu Jintao at the 20th Party Congress—why would he now allow Wen’s message to circulate?

Political commentator Chen Pokong argues that after Xi launched what he calls a “January coup” to remove Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, he found the political situation spiraling out of control and was forced into a temporary conciliatory gesture.

According to this analysis, the Party and military in Beijing are deeply unsettled. Xi has removed numerous senior generals, alienating the military establishment, and faces discontent within the ranks.

Chen Pokong suggests that in this situation of isolation, Xi may be seeking reconciliation with Party elders to stabilize the regime, leveraging their prestige to calm the military and conceal fractures at the core of his power.

Why, then, did Xi risk arresting Zhang Youxia in January? Chen Pokong argues that one trigger may have been corruption allegations involving Xi’s family, reportedly used as leverage by anti-Xi factions.

Independent commentator Cai Shenkun posted on X on February 18 that a viewer claimed Xi’s sister, Qi Qiaoqiao, was placed under a form of house arrest at Shenzhen’s Yinhu Hotel in late 2025 and questioned by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Qi Qiaoqiao has long been regarded as a key figure within the Xi family, having served as a secretary to their father Xi Zhongxun and maintaining influence in certain circles. She is also said to be connected to major business interests involving Wanda and Tomorrow Group. There are reports that some business figures close to the Xi family have faced investigations or financial difficulties over the past year.

According to these accounts, anti-Xi factions, with support from Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli’s military influence, began investigations into corruption and “naked officials” that extended to Xi’s family. If these reports are accurate, Xi may have acted preemptively, using the Central Guard Bureau under Cai Qi and special police forces under Wang Xiaohong to carry out arrests that critics say bypassed established procedures.

The year 2026 is referred to in traditional Chinese astrology as a “Red Horse and Red Goat” year, historically associated with upheaval. With economic downturn, youth unemployment, and population decline, multiple pressures are converging.

Analysts suggest that the rumors surrounding Zhang Youxia’s fate, Wen Jiabao’s letter, and reports about Qi Qiaoqiao together paint a picture of internal power struggles. Whether these claims are accurate remains unverified, but speculation continues to grow amid limited official transparency.

(First published by People News)
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