Ma Xingrui's Downfall: Official Announcement Conceals Secrets, Xi Jinping in Turmoil

Dark clouds hang over Tiananmen Square in Beijing. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

[People News] On April 3, the Chinese Communist Party officially announced the downfall of Ma Xingrui. Although the execution order was delayed, the shockwave it created in the CCP's political landscape should not be underestimated.

On that day, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Xinhua News Agency reported: "Member of the Central Political Bureau and Deputy Head of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, Ma Xingrui, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law, and is currently undergoing a disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission." The fewer the words, the more significant the matter.

The contrasting approaches to handling Zhang Youxia and Ma Xingrui, both members of the Political Bureau, are dramatically tense. The former faced a sudden and heavy blow, with military reports repeatedly attacking him, yet encountered silence from the entire party and procedural resistance from the National People's Congress; the latter had long been anticipated, with a delayed official announcement, but adhered to the standard disciplinary inspection process. This not only highlights Xi Jinping's political manoeuvring within the military and local systems but also reflects that his power is far from the omnipotence it appears to be, still constrained by factional customs, procedural norms, and potential internal party opposition. Ma Xingrui's fall, as a close confidant of Xi and Peng, is perceived by the outside world as a "tearful execution of Ma," posing a significant challenge to Xi Jinping's personal authority and the stability of the CCP regime.

The handling of the Zhang Youxia case can be described as "sudden, heavy hammer, urgent drumbeat." On January 24, 2026, the Ministry of Defence's official website directly announced: "Member of the Central Political Bureau and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, and Member of the Central Military Commission and Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department, Liu Zhenli, are suspected of serious violations of discipline and law. Following research by the Party Central Committee, it was decided to file a review and investigation against Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli."

This statement emphasises the 'decision made by the Party Central Committee' and 'the filing of a case', conveying a decisive tone that bypasses the previously low-profile investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and directly establishes the narrative from the highest level. The following day, the 'Liberation Army Daily' swiftly followed up with an editorial that enumerated 'five serious issues' and even adopted a 'seven deadly sins' approach to characterise the situation severely. This included serious betrayals of the trust and expectations of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, significant violations of the accountability system of the Chairman of the Military Commission, and serious encouragement of political and corruption issues that undermine the Party's absolute leadership over the military, threatening the Party's governing foundation. It also included serious impacts on the image and authority of the Military Commission leadership, significant blows to the political ideological foundation of unity and progress among all military personnel, and considerable damage to the military's political ecology and combat effectiveness, resulting in extremely adverse effects on the Party, the country, and the military. The military newspaper continued to publish articles for several consecutive days, attempting to create a strong deterrent effect, effectively taking down Zhang Youxia.

However, the situation quickly took a turn and revealed unusual patterns. Across the military and the Party, as well as among various departments of the State Council and local officials, there was a widespread silence, with no signs of the usual wave of loyalty declarations such as 'resolutely supporting the central decision' and 'layered expressions of support' that typically follow the downfall of high-ranking officials. The notification document had not yet been issued to provincial and ministerial-level units, and party media outlets like Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, and CCTV remained eerily quiet, with only the military newspaper making a few statements before quickly lowering its tone and eventually falling silent. Most major military regions and branches, aside from the Eastern and Western Theatre Commands, which merely forwarded the information, did not share or express any stance, and there were clear signs of stagnation within the military command system.

The resistance within the National People's Congress (NPC) further challenges Xi Jinping's authority. Following a series of meetings, including an emergency session in February, the NPC Standing Committee did not include the qualifications of representatives Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli in the agenda for their dismissal. During the NPC meeting in March, neither of the two was dismissed, and the military delegation was led solely by the newly appointed Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin, without a deputy leader. On the podium, Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin appeared together without any additional support, creating a sombre atmosphere. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that the military had proposed a dismissal motion, but it was not approved, leading to speculation that Zhao Leji's NPC system was unable to fully align with the top leadership on critical issues, or that there were procedural considerations and soft resistance at play.

This situation, where 'heavy hammers fail to fall,' reflects the significant internal party resistance Xi Jinping faces in his efforts to purge trusted allies within the military. Zhang Youxia, a member of the 'red second generation' with extensive military experience, was quickly announced to have fallen from grace, and the military's high-profile criticism was intended to signal Xi Jinping's desire to reclaim military authority and reshape the accountability of the Chairman of the Central Military Commission. However, he unexpectedly encountered substantial resistance and found himself isolated. Reports suggest that during a Politburo meeting, some members questioned the legitimacy of the arrest procedures and recommended corrections. The NPC's failure to dismiss the representatives in a timely manner raises concerns about the constitutional legitimacy of the procedures and the public checks on collective power. This indicates that even after removing major adversaries within the military, Xi Jinping's decision-making remains constrained, preventing him from acting entirely on his own terms.

In contrast, the case of Ma Xingrui (Mǎ Xīngruì) showcases a reverse approach, marked by early indications but a delayed official announcement, ultimately proceeding in a compliant and understated manner. Ma Xingrui was removed from his position as Secretary of the Xinjiang Party Committee in July of last year, leading observers to conclude that his political prospects were dim. Following this, he missed several significant meetings and public appearances, which further fueled speculation. However, the official announcement was not made until April 3, 2026, with the statement using phrases like 'currently under' and 'disciplinary review and supervisory investigation,' which seemed preliminary and procedural. It did not emphasise 'the decision of the Party Central Committee' nor did it mention other high-ranking officials in parallel. His new role as Deputy Head of the Central Rural Work Leading Group was revealed, suggesting a phase of safe transition after previously holding a nominal position.

The handling of Ma Xingrui's case is characterised by greater caution and adherence to established protocols, emphasising the importance of evidence and organisational processes. This stands in stark contrast to the abrupt nature of Zhang Youxia's (Zhāng Yòuxiá) case, which involves complex underlying factors. Ma Xingrui has ties to the Shandong faction, the military-industrial faction, and the aerospace sector, and has familial connections with Peng Liyuan (Péng Lìyuán), making him a trusted confidant of Xi Jinping (Xí Jìnpíng) and his wife. The delay in the official announcement may reflect Xi Jinping's momentary indecision, as the Ma case involves former officials from various sectors, including Shenzhen, Guangdong, Xinjiang, and the military-industrial complex. This complexity necessitated careful consideration of the implications and political costs, making decisive action challenging. However, it is likely that the emergence of multiple cases involving Ma Xingrui and the diminishing influence of his former associates led to an irrefutable chain of evidence, ultimately compelling a 'tearful execution of Ma Su.'

The comparison between the cases of Ma Xingrui and Zhang Youxia reveals a wealth of information. Firstly, while Xi Jinping engages in selective anti-corruption efforts driven by power struggles and political factors, he cannot act with complete impunity; his authority is still constrained by certain forces, even after successfully removing his main military rival, Zhang Youxia.

Secondly, the downfall of Ma Xingrui represents a significant setback for Xi Jinping. As a trusted confidant at the Politburo level and a prominent figure associated with both the 'First Lady Gang' and the military-industrial complex, his fall directly undermines the image of Xi's faction. The repeated scandals involving individuals promoted by Xi Jinping inevitably lead to external scepticism: Is there a serious issue with your ability to identify and utilise talent, Xi Jinping? The frequent appearance of 'traitors to the Party and the country' raises concerns about potential blind spots in your governance foundation and judgment. The collapse of the trusted confidant system is particularly troubling. Xi Jinping may find himself in the uncomfortable position of having to make difficult decisions.

Thirdly, the Ma Xingrui case exacerbates external doubts regarding the stability of the Chinese Communist Party's regime. Currently, the number of Politburo members from the 20th Central Committee has diminished due to several high-profile downfalls, and the future ramifications remain uncertain. There are rumours that Li Xi and others may also be implicated in the Ma case, which involves multiple regions and sectors, including Shenzhen, Guangdong, Xinjiang, and the military-industrial complex, making the breadth of the connections quite unusual. Ma Xingrui's career path is intertwined with the political structure of the Chinese Communist Party, spanning from the central government to local administrations, and from the Party and government to the military. The 'interconnected network' has developed significant fractures in its main arteries and central nervous system, indicating systemic problems within the entire bureaucratic apparatus. The stability of the regime is now under serious scrutiny, with anxiety spreading within the Party and negative perceptions from the outside world.

In a significant turn of events, Ma Xingrui, a close ally of Xi Jinping and a prominent figure linked to Peng Liyuan, has been ousted, symbolising the downfall of the 'couple's shop manager' in the lobby, leaving both the boss and the boss's wife unable to reverse the situation. This incident not only reveals the vulnerability of the protective network but also suggests the intricate nature of internal power struggles at the highest levels. Who orchestrated this? The way Ma Xingrui is dealt with moving forward—through his double expulsion, the list of charges against him, the trial, and the prevailing public sentiment—will be crucial to monitor. While the emotional decision to cut ties with Ma Xu may provide temporary stability, the cascading effect of trusted aides being removed indicates that Xi Jinping's strategic game has been thrown into disarray, the chessboard is in disarray, and the foundation is shaky.

The contrasting approaches to the cases of Zhang Youxia and Ma Xingrui highlight the different challenges Xi Jinping faces in the power dynamics between the military and local authorities. The military requires a strong hand to instil fear, but encounters procedural and consensus obstacles, while local allies need to be managed but cannot conceal the fallout from their collapse. This high-stakes power struggle is far from concluded, and future developments may further challenge Xi Jinping's grip on real power.

(First published by the People News)△