Li Qiang Visits Tangshan for Research and Condolences: What Happened to Xi?

Beginning to Betray Xi? Li Qiang’s Weakest Support for Xi at the Two Sessions (AI-Generated Image)

[People News] Fifty years ago, on July 28 at 3:42:56 AM, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 struck Tangshan, Hebei Province. In the midst of the tremors, this industrial city with a population of over one million was instantly reduced to ruins. Buildings collapsed, chimneys broke, roads cracked, railway tracks bent, and the ground spewed water and sand; the entire city lost communication, traffic was obstructed, and power and water supply systems were destroyed. Over 80% of the sleeping population had no time to react and were buried under the rubble, resulting in heavy casualties.

According to data released by the authorities three years after the earthquake, the Tangshan earthquake resulted in 242,400 deaths and 164,600 serious injuries; there were 3,817 patients with paralysis, 4,204 orphans who lost their parents, and as many as 360,000 people with minor injuries still requiring treatment. However, Mr. Zhang Yuming, a former physician at Henan Medical University and a retired cancer researcher from Yale University, disclosed that the actual magnitude of the Tangshan earthquake was 9.0, with a death toll of 750,000.

According to reports from the official media of the Chinese Communist Party, on the morning of July 28 this year, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, acting on behalf of Xi Jinping, visited Tangshan to conduct research and offer condolences. Accompanied by the Secretary of the Hebei Provincial Committee and the Governor, Li Qiang laid a wreath at the earthquake memorial park and bowed three times at the memorial wall. He also visited the Tangshan Rehabilitation Hospital for earthquake paraplegic patients and toured the relevant rescue base of the Tangshan branch of Aneng Group's First Engineering Bureau. During his visit, Li Qiang recalled Xi Jinping's 'entrustment' from his inspection of Tangshan a decade ago.

Traditionally, on the 'decadal' anniversaries of the Tangshan earthquake, the highest leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) have laid flowers at the memorial site. On July 28, 2016, marking the 40th anniversary of the Tangshan earthquake, Xi Jinping visited the Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Park and laid a floral tribute at the memorial wall. Similarly, on July 28, 2006, during the 30th anniversary, then CPC leader Hu Jintao visited the Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Square. On the 20th anniversary, then CPC leader Jiang Zemin was also present.

So, why is Xi breaking this 30-year tradition?

At first glance, Xi has significant foreign affairs engagements planned. On the morning of July 28, he met with Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová, who was on a state visit to China. Given that all activities of CPC leaders are pre-arranged, and the timing of foreign affairs meetings is mutually agreed upon, if Xi wished to pay his respects in Tangshan, he could have easily avoided meeting foreign guests on that day. Thus, this deliberate scheduling seems to provide a grand justification for Xi's absence from Tangshan.

Why is Xi unable to go to Tangshan?

One possible reason is Xi's health condition. Despite the CPC's efforts to downplay it, Xi's health has been declining since he suffered a stroke during the Third Plenary Session in July 2024. Even in the official videos, it is clear that Xi appears older and in noticeably worse health than he did a few years ago. Particularly in the heat of summer, Xi, who has brain issues, is even less suited for such demanding activities.

The second possible reason is Xi Jinping's concerns about his own security. After Xi ousted Zhang Youxia, the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, the Chief of the Joint Staff, earlier this year, he has not succeeded in making the military submit to his authority. To date, Xi has not gained full control over the military, and there have been occasional rumors of dissatisfaction within the ranks regarding his leadership. Given this situation, Xi rarely leaves Beijing, only making brief visits to Xiong'an in Hebei and Dezhou in Shandong for research purposes, and these trips are limited to a single day. Most of the arrangements have also taken place indoors.

Furthermore, in mid-July, Xi attended an artificial intelligence conference in Shanghai, which lasted three to four days. Reports suggest that to ensure his safety, Xi had the manhole covers in the areas he visited welded shut, similar to Jiang Zemin's request during his visit to Germany to have manhole covers welded shut. This indicates the extent of Xi's internal fears.

The third possible reason is the deliberate arrangements made by the Communist Party. From the party-building meeting held in mid-June, which incorporated 'centralized and unified leadership' into Xi's party-building ideology, to the repeated emphasis on 'collective leadership' by senior Communist Party officials in June and July, highlighting the Party's leadership, as well as the military's magazine cover being 'shelved' for two consecutive months, these signs suggest that Xi's power is being curtailed, and he can no longer return to the previously dominant position of being the 'one supreme leader.'

Additionally, there are reports from overseas indicating that at the upcoming Fifth Plenary Session of the Communist Party in October, Xi is expected to hand over power to Li Qiang, who will become the next highest leader.

Recently, reports concerning Xi Jinping and Li Qiang have taken on a peculiar tone. On July 22, all official media outlets in mainland China published an article titled 'Xi Jinping Issues Important Instructions on Basic Education Work.' Upon delving into the article, readers would discover it is accompanied by another piece of news stating that the National Basic Education Work Conference was held in Beijing on the same day. The conference conveyed Xi's instructions, with Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, in attendance and delivering a speech.

This marks the first time the Communist Party of China has convened such a meeting in seven years. The National Basic Education Work Conference held on July 29, 2019, was significantly less grand than this year's event, where a Vice Premier who is a member of the Standing Committee spoke. At that time, it was Sun Chunlan, then a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, who attended and spoke. She emphasized the importance of thoroughly implementing Xi's significant discourse on education and diligently executing the directives and requirements set forth by Premier Li Keqiang.

In contrast, this year's conference appears somewhat unusual. It is widely recognized that the Ministry of Education, which operates under the State Council, is responsible for educational matters. Following Xi's instructions, Premier Li Qiang would typically issue a directive, as education falls within his purview. However, the conference only relayed Xi's instructions without any mention of Li Qiang's directive.

A similar situation arose on July 28, when the news titled 'Xi Jinping Issues Important Instructions on Overseas Chinese Affairs' was released. The article noted that Wang Huning attended the National Overseas Chinese Affairs Work Conference and spoke, referencing Xi's instructions; yet again, there was no mention of Li Qiang's directive. Overseas Chinese affairs also fall under the jurisdiction of the State Council, and Li Qiang has previously elaborated on these matters multiple times.

What has happened to Li Qiang? Why was there no directive issued when it was anticipated? What changes have taken place in Zhongnanhai? Why is Li Qiang no longer following Xi so closely? Could it be that some internal consensus has been reached?

(First published by People News) △