As the Two Sessions Approach, Are NPC Deputies in Fear of Becoming “Fattened Pigs Awaiting Slaughter”?

On March 5, Chinese Premier Li Qiang performed a deep bow, nearly 90 degrees, before delivering the work report at the National People&9;s Congress (NPC) full session. (Screenshot from the web)

[People News] The “Two Sessions,” convened on March 4 and 5, are the Chinese Communist Party’s annual political spectacle. According to sources within the system, many deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) are now “living in constant fear,” with even a wave of resignations and “feigned illness” reportedly emerging.

In the past, becoming an NPC deputy or a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was not only a symbol of privilege but also a ticket to influence at the highest levels. Representatives could travel freely; even police would hesitate to stop their cars. Flashing that red credential booklet served as a kind of protective talisman. But this year in Beijing, the atmosphere has completely changed. An intense sense of fear is spreading among the ranks of representatives.

Previously, NPC and CPPCC membership was seen as an honor that brought prestige, privilege, and valuable connections—often functioning as a safeguard for business interests. However, after Xi Jinping amended the constitution, the position of these representatives has fundamentally shifted. In the current political climate, NPC and CPPCC deputies have become, in the eyes of the authorities, “fattened pigs”—figures who can be controlled at will and “slaughtered” when convenient.

Former Shanghai entrepreneur Hu Liren has revealed that many private business owners serving as deputies—worth billions or even tens of billions of yuan—have numerous vulnerabilities in their past dealings. Once detained, almost any pretext could be elevated to a capital-level offense. Authorities often detain deputies and use the safety of their family members as leverage to pressure them into surrendering assets. As a result, many wealthy deputies would rather remain in their home provinces than travel to Beijing, fearing that “going to Beijing means going to prison.”

Hu Liren said that many local officials and business deputies may already be registered with the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), merely being left in place for the time being. They worry that once they arrive in Beijing for the meetings, they could be immediately detained and sent directly to prison or subjected to internal disciplinary detention (“shuanggui”).

Recent incidents—such as the secret detention of senior military figures like Zhang Youxia without full procedural formalities—have heightened these fears. Such “rule-breaking” methods have made representatives feel that no one is absolutely safe. Many fear that saying the wrong thing in the current tense political climate could lead to retribution. As a result, some reportedly choose to check into hospitals or request leave citing sudden illness, possibly as a passive survival strategy to avoid detention or asset confiscation.

This is not mere alarmism. Consider Xu Jiayin, former chairman of Evergrande. At one time, he was a high-profile NPC deputy, enjoying great prestige. Now he is behind bars, with overseas assets under investigation by state security authorities, and even his family reportedly used as leverage against him. Or take Jack Ma—despite having once assisted Xi in Zhejiang and having wielded influence strong enough to shake the financial system, he ultimately faced regulatory crackdowns, corporate restructuring, and a life largely outside China.

Today’s deputies understand that current political purges often serve as “wealth harvesting.” If you possess money, power, or position, you may become a target. For many, this year’s Two Sessions are not an honor but an uncertain “Hongmen Banquet”—a meeting that could become a one-way journey with no return.