Xi Jinping (People News)
[People news] October 1 marks the founding day of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and is also a day of national mourning for the Chinese people. Regardless of how much the CPC celebrates and promotes its so-called achievements, it cannot conceal the harm it has inflicted on the Chinese populace over the decades, nor can it hide the substantial issues facing China's politics, economy, and society amid internal and external challenges. At the same time, changes within the CPC are quietly unfolding.
On that day, the CPC's military newspaper and military network adhered to tradition by publishing an editorial. In the second paragraph following the opening, it summarized the CPC's achievements as being under the 'leadership of the Party'; the third paragraph highlighted the accomplishments of the Party Central Committee, with Xi at its core, since the 18th National Congress of the CPC. The concluding sentence of this paragraph stated that these achievements were 'fundamentally due to the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core,' guided by 'Xi Jinping Thought.' The subsequent two paragraphs outlined the military's actions under the leadership of the 'Party Central Committee with Xi at its core,' while the final paragraph included slogans, referencing the '2442' standard loyalty oath and the 'implementation of the responsibility system of the Chairman of the Military Commission.'
On the surface, the editorial continues to elevate 'Chairman Xi,' seemingly suggesting that he remains in control of military power. However, the change is evident in subtle details; the previous phrase 'fundamentally due to Chairman Xi's leadership' has shifted to 'fundamentally due to the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core,' emphasizing 'the Party Central Committee at the helm,' indicating that it is no longer solely Xi.
The transition from Xi Jinping 'leading the helm' to the Party Central Committee taking over conveys significant information, marking a change that began this year. Additionally, this year's editorials have consistently highlighted 'the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core,' which also serves to communicate messages externally.
To understand this better, let’s examine the military newspaper editorials from the same period in previous years. The 2025 'Eleventh' military newspaper editorial similarly underscored the importance of the 'Party' and the 'Party Central Committee,' stating that 'the most fundamental aspect is having Chairman Xi at the helm.' It also noted that the 'two establishments' represent 'the most significant political achievement of the new era, the most valuable historical experience, and the most objective practical conclusion, serving as the greatest certainty, confidence, and guarantee for the Party and the people in addressing all uncertainties.' This statement has notably disappeared this year.
The 2024 'Eleventh' military newspaper editorial is quite similar to that of 2025, emphasizing the roles of the 'Party' and the 'Party Central Committee,' and reiterating that 'the most fundamental aspect is having Chairman Xi at the helm,' along with comparable boastful remarks regarding the 'two establishments.'
In contrast, the 2023 'Eleventh' military newspaper editorial starts by emphasizing the role of the 'Party,' but it significantly downplays the role of the 'Party Central Committee.' While the various 'achievements' listed do not mention 'Chairman Xi at the helm,' each statement serves to praise Xi, quoting his words, particularly emphasizing that the entire military must 'persistently use Xi's thought to forge unity and soul.'
In the 2022 "Eleventh" military newspaper editorial, the adulation for Xi Jinping is strikingly excessive, asserting that "the great changes of the past decade in the new era fully demonstrate that the fundamental reason for all the achievements of the party, the country, and the military is the presence of Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the entire party steering the course... The party's establishment of Xi Jinping's core position within the Party Central Committee and the entire party, along with the recognition of Xi Jinping Thought as the guiding ideology, reflects the shared aspirations of the entire party, the military, and the people of all ethnic groups in the nation, and holds decisive significance for the historical process of... rejuvenation."
In contrast, the military newspaper editorials from 2021 and 2020 placed less emphasis on the role of the "Party Central Committee," although they still offered considerable praise for Xi, highlighting how the Party Central Committee, with Xi at its core, oversees the "Four Greats," how "Chairman Xi integrates national defense and military development into the historical process of achieving national modernization and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation to plan and strategize," and how "Chairman Xi personally commands, personally deploys, oversees the overall situation, and makes decisive decisions"...
The once highly lauded "Chairman Xi" in military circles, who was a staple in military publications for years, has subtly shifted in the latest military newspaper editorial to the phrase "the Party Central Committee steering the course," prompting the question of whether "Chairman Xi" still wields the same authority over the party and military as he did before. The answer is evidently no.
In fact, signs of this change have been apparent since June of this year. For instance, on September 23, an editorial criticizing Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli appeared on the front page of the People's Liberation Army Daily, which included a curious omission: the phrase "must unify thoughts and actions with the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission" did not mention "Chairman Xi." In contrast, a similar editorial from January stated, "resolutely implement the major decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and Chairman Xi."
The exclusion of "Chairman Xi" from the "decision-making and deployment" in official reports is not a new phenomenon. On September 11, a report titled "Adhere to the Correct View of Political Achievements to Advance the Modernization of National Defense and the Military with High Quality" published in the People's Liberation Army Daily and on the military's official website, also displayed a similar irregularity, stating, "resolutely and effectively implement the major decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and the spirit of Chairman Xi's important instructions."
In just eight months, the military has changed its directive from "resolutely implement the major decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission, and Chairman Xi" to "must unify thoughts and actions with the decision-making and deployment of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission." This indicates that "Chairman Xi" has been excluded from the "decision-making and deployment." What does this imply about the extent of "Chairman Xi's" remaining power?
Beyond the previously mentioned unusual military newspaper editorials, high-ranking officials like Li Qiang have adopted a more high-profile approach and made atypical statements in recent months. Following Li Qiang's ascension, state media has consistently highlighted the 'central collective leadership system.' In his 'August 1' speech, Defense Minister Dong Jun emphasized the importance of 'listening to the Party and following the Party.' Additionally, the military's 'Illustrated Report' has featured signs of Xi Jinping and officials from his faction being dismissed or demoted on its cover for four consecutive months. This suggests that Xi's 'supreme' status has been entirely undermined, and he now needs to collaborate with other Standing Committee members to make decisions. These developments likely reflect a significant reshuffle in the political landscape ahead of the Fifth Plenary Session of the Communist Party, which could lead to major changes.
(First published by the People News) △
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