Xi Jinping, the leader of the Communist Party of China, has been actively participating in public activities, including meetings with members of the Politburo to report to them. However, rumors persist about political elders exerting control behind Xi. Recently, independent commentator Cai Shenkun revealed that there are rumors circulating in China that political power in the CCP has shifted from Xi Jinping to three individuals – Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and Hu Deping. Hu Deping was previously nominated by party members to replace Xi. After Xi chaired a forum for private entrepreneurs, an old article by Hu Deping warning about vigilance against new forms of public-private partnerships resurfaced.
Cai Shenkun, who had maintained that Xi Jinping still held significant power and no one within the party could challenge him, mentioned on February 23 in a self-media program that an influential figure within the CCP elite circles informed him that Xi’s power had been significantly weakened since the Communist Party’s military political work conference in Yan’an last year, with military authority now in the hands of General Zhang Youxia, the first vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.
According to this source, there is a consensus within the CCP that Xi should not be re-elected. Consequently, three elderly figures born in 1942 have been selected to oversee China’s political situation during this transitional period. The formal announcement of Xi Jinping stepping down is only a matter of time, possibly as early as the Fourth Plenum, but no later than next year.
Cai Shenkun further emphasized on February 25 that the three elderly figures born in 1942 are Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and Hu Deping.
However, Cai Shenkun expressed skepticism about this news. He cited Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao as having been retired for years and being older in age, making it unlikely for them to act assertively on the political stage. As Hu Deping, the eldest son of Hu Yaobang, has not been part of the core decision-making body of the CCP despite occasionally expressing progressive views, he lacks the practical political resources and power base. Cai also dismissed the idea that Zhang Youxia was playing the role of an opposition figure.
Cai Shenkun stated that overseas individuals might be inclined to believe such news out of wishful thinking.
Ahead of the CCP’s “Two Sessions,” on February 26, high-ranking CCP officials, including members of the Politburo, traditionally reported to Xi Jinping.
Cai Shenkun noted that the most crucial observation regarding Xi Jinping’s power would be whether the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau continued to report to him before the “Two Sessions.” If they did, it would signify Xi’s power remains relatively stable; if not, anticipation for the Fourth Plenum would be justified.
Among those listed, Hu Deping garners the most attention. He previously held positions such as Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CCP, Standing Committee member of the National People’s Congress, and First Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.
Xi Jinping and Hu Yaobang, the former General Secretary of the CCP, had close ties, as Hu Yaobang had supported Xi’s father, Xi Zhongxun, in his comeback. Initially, relations between Xi Jinping and Hu Yaobang’s sons, Hu Deping and Hu Dehua, were good. However, their political views diverged, with Hu’s sons aligning with the reformist faction.
In 2016, Xi Jinping seized control of the reformist magazine “Yanhuang Chunqiu,” which was previously managed by the Hu brothers. Australian scholar Feng Chongyi explained to Epoch Times that by shutting down “Yanhuang Chunqiu,” a platform for democratic reformists, Xi effectively severed ties with the next generation of the red elite’s reformists.
On May 19, 2019, Hu Dehua was forced to vacate the residence at No. 25 Huaishu Alley in Xicheng District, where Hu Yaobang had lived before.
Additionally, in 2017, retired Yunnan University officials issued an open letter advocating for direct elections of the CCP General Secretary, calling for Xi Jinping to step down and nominating Hu Yaobang’s son, Hu Deping, as the new General Secretary.
On February 17 this year, the CCP held a forum for private enterprises, with figures like Jack Ma present as guests, and Xi Jinping attending to show goodwill towards private businesses. However, this move is seen by many as a forced action due to economic pressure, and public sentiment does not believe that the CCP is on the verge of major reforms. Hu Deping’s 2018 article, “Beware of New Forms of Public-Private Partnerships Under the Guise of Sharing,” has gained traction recently online.
In this article, Hu Deping questions the revival of old methods of public-private partnerships reminiscent of the 1950s by blending the mechanisms of “consultative democracy” from the Political Consultative Conference into the operational governance of private enterprises under the pretense of sharing and democracy, promoting communal practices and Communist ideologies.
Hu Deping also pointed out, “At a time when private enterprises are facing great difficulties, the stark disparity between the current circumstances and past perceptions is alarming. Problems that were once identified and solved are resurfacing in new forms today. By pressuring private enterprises to engage in public-private partnerships, if a trend emerges where no one dares to criticize, the consequences would be dire.”