Wang Youqun: Another major event about to happen in Zhongnanhai?

Recently, some media personnel with close ties to individuals within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) system have successively reported overseas that another senior figure in the CCP military has been arrested.

Although these reports have not been confirmed by the CCP authorities, based on recent years’ experiences, rumors about power struggles within the top ranks of the CCP often precede actual events. Since the 19th National Congress of the CCP, power struggles among top leaders have been ongoing, suggesting that another escalation of internal strife may be taking place in Zhongnanhai, the CCP leadership compound.

On March 13, Zhao Lanjian, a former Chinese media person living in the United States, posted an “exclusive disclosure” on X platform, stating: “According to authoritative sources, after the 11th National People’s Congress (NPC) concluded, CCP 20th Central Politburo Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong was taken away when he returned to the 81 Building! Currently, He Weidong’s residences in Beijing and Shanghai have been searched, and the situation is extremely tense.”

“He Weidong has long been an important member of Xi Jinping’s core circle in the military, having served as Commander of the Eastern Theater Command and overseeing Taiwan affairs. His significant influence within the Party and the military indicates that this sudden event foreshadows the possibility of another shake-up in the CCP military!”

On March 14, Zhao Lanjian once again revealed: “The news of Vice Chairman of the Military Commission He Weidong’s arrest has been confirmed by a second channel.”

On March 15, independent commentator Cai Shenkun stated in a self-media program that initially he was uncertain about the veracity of Zhao Lanjian’s disclosures, but a friend in China provided him with a voice message indicating that He Weidong’s incident was indeed true, and high-level communications within the military had also been made about the arrest of Li Shangfu and Miao Hua.

On March 14, the CCP held a symposium in Beijing to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the “Anti-Secession Law.” Attendees of the symposium included: CCP Politburo Standing Committee member and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji, CCP Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, CCP Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Minister of the United Front Work Department Shi Taifeng, Secretary of the Central Secretariat, State Councilor, and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, and CCP Military Commission member and Chief of the Joint Staff Department Liu Zhenli.

This meeting was of relatively high significance, focusing on making political declarations regarding the so-called “Taiwan independence.” According to convention, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong should have been in attendance, but he was absent.

Considering the situation since the Rocket Forces scandal in 2023, where senior CCP military leaders were exposed overseas before being confirmed by the CCP officially, it seems likely that the same pattern may be repeating with He Weidong.

He Weidong emerged as a “dark horse” from the 20th National Congress of the CCP. Why say that? Because he was not even a delegate to the 20th National Congress, nor a member or alternate member of the 19th Central Committee, yet during the first plenary session of the 20th Central Committee, he was rapidly promoted to become a member of the 20th Central Committee, a member of the Central Politburo, and a Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Since the establishment of the CCP in 1949, Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission were traditionally selected from members of the Politburo and had previously held positions as members or alternate members of the Central Committee. He Weidong’s appointment as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission broke a 72-year-old convention.

Is He Weidong a military genius? Has he achieved remarkable success? Not really. Otherwise, how could he have failed to even become an alternate member of the Central Committee at the 19th Party Congress?

It is expected that retired senior military leaders, such as former Vice Chairmen of the Central Military Commission, would feel resentful, questioning why he suddenly rose to such a high position. Furthermore, current senior military leaders with more qualifications, abilities, and achievements compared to He Weidong would likely question why he was promoted over them. Even junior and mid-level military officers would have doubts about his rapid ascent.

If there is an opportunity to oust He Weidong, many within the military would likely turn against him.

Zhang Yuxia is the First Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, while He Weidong is the Second Vice Chairman.

However, Zhang Yuxia is much more senior in qualifications than He Weidong. Zhang Yuxia has combat experience; as early as the 17th National Congress of the CCP in 2007, Zhang Yuxia was a Central Committee member. By the 18th National Congress in 2012, he was appointed a member of the Central Military Commission; at the 19th Congress, he was promoted to be a member of the Central Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission; at the 20th Congress, he retained his positions as a member of the Central Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

He Weidong lacks actual combat experience; he “skyrocketed” to his position at the 20th Congress.

Shortly after the 20th National Congress, the Rocket Forces scandal broke out. On July 26, 2023, the Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission issued a notice regarding the investigation of irregularities and violations in equipment procurement tender evaluation experts dating back six years, until October 2017. Prior to October 2017, Zhang Yuxia served as the Minister of Equipment Development Department of the Military Commission.

The investigation resulted in disciplinary actions against some of Zhang Yuxia’s former subordinates, including Li Shangfu, who succeeded Zhang Yuxia as Minister of the Equipment Development Department of the Military Commission and was later promoted to become a member of the Central Military Commission, State Councilor, and Minister of Defense.

Following the 20th National Congress, the anti-corruption campaign within the military targeted Zhang Yuxia’s close associates, making him uncomfortable. In this scenario, the rivalry between He Weidong, the Second Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Zhang Yuxia, the First Vice Chairman, intensified.

On February 8, 2024, Xinhua Net published an article titled “Zhang Yuxia and He Weidong Conduct Research and Visit and Comfort Officers and Soldiers of the Beijing Garrison.” When People’s Daily reposted the article, the headline was changed to “He Weidong and Zhang Yuxia Conduct Research and Visit and Comfort Officers and Soldiers of the Beijing Garrison.”

While Xinhua Net’s title was appropriate given Zhang Yuxia’s seniority, People’s Daily’s title was unusual. This discrepancy could likely be the result of manipulation by He Weidong and his backers.

On March 5, 2024, during discussions with military representatives, He Weidong made remarks about combating the military’s “false combat capabilities.”

What does He mean by the military’s “false combat capabilities”? Heidong’s comments may imply various corrupt practices within the Equipment Development Department of the Military Commission in arms procurement, potentially aimed at Zhang Yuxia.

However, He Weidong’s statement was promptly suppressed. Searches for “He Weidong” and “false combat capabilities” on Xinhua News Agency, CCTV Net, “China Daily,” and even the sole news portal of the CCP military, “China Military Online,” yielded no relevant reports. This suppression may have been Zhang Yuxia’s retaliation against He Weidong.

On November 28, 2024, the CCP Ministry of National Defense announced that General Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, was under investigation for suspected “serious violations.”

This news was sensational at the end of last year. Miao Hua’s predecessor, Zhang Yang, the first Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission after the 2015 military reform by Xi Jinping, hanged himself at home in November 2017 during an investigation into severe corruption issues. Now, Miao Hua’s investigation for “serious violations” has shocked domestic and international audiences regarding corruption among senior CCP military leaders.

As Miao Hua held a critical position within the military, being a key player in Xi’s “political military building,” directly assisting Xi in the selection and appointment of senior military leaders, and overseeing military commanders as a “Political Commissar-General” within the military, his downfall could potentially implicate a group of senior military leaders.

Both Miao Hua and He Weidong had served in the 31st Group Army. Miao Hua was previously the Political Commissar of the 31st Group Army, while He Weidong served as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the 31st Group Army.

After Miao Hua was appointed as the Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission in August 2017, He Weidong was promoted to Commander of the Eastern Theater Command in 2019. He Weidong’s promotion at the time was facilitated by Miao, prompting questions about any potential financial exchanges between the two.

As a member of the 20th Central Military Commission and the Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission, Miao continued to be responsible for the selection and appointment of senior military leaders within the military. This included appointments within the 15 departments of the Military Commission, the five theater commands, each branch of the armed forces, the Armed Police Force, and military academies, among others. Many senior military leaders seeking promotion may have had financial dealings with Miao, and possibly through Miao to He Weidong as well.

Following Miao Hua’s arrest, reports have surfaced about the investigation of several senior military leaders closely associated with him, including: former Army Political Commissar Qin Shutong (General), current Navy Political Commissar Yuan Huazhi (General), and Armed Police Commander Wang Chunling (General), among others.

After Miao Hua’s downfall, He Weidong may have been exposed.

He Weidong, rising from a non-delegate at the 20th National Congress, suddenly becoming a member of the 20th Central Committee, a member of the Central Politburo, and a Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, was entirely due to Xi Jinping’s personal promotion. Without Xi Jinping, He Weidong would not be where he is today.

Xi Jinping has unilaterally promoted many high-ranking officials and individuals, like He Weidong, who have made a meteoric rise in the ranks under his direct patronage. Some even call He Weidong Xi Jinping’s “most trusted confidant” within the military.

Qin Gang is the youngest Party and state leader personally promoted by Xi Jinping—initially serving as a Deputy Minister-ranked Chinese Ambassador to the United States, then elevated to Minister of Foreign Affairs, and subsequently appointed as a State Councilor, showing a “three-tier leap,” but not all at once. He was promoted to Foreign Minister in December 2022 and to State Councilor in March 2023.

Miao Hua is considered Xi’s “most trusted of the trusted.” However, Miao’s promotion by Xi was not immediate. Miao was appointed as the Director of the Political Work Department of the Military Commission in August 2017, became a member of the Central Military Commission at the 19th National Congress in October 2017, and was reappointed at the 20th Congress in October 2022.

If things proceed as expected, Miao Hua is likely to be further promoted by Xi as a member of the next Political Bureau of the CCP Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Miao’s sudden downfall in November last year was a significant blow to Xi Jinping.

If the reports of He Weidong’s arrest are true, it would represent a significant setback for Xi.

Since Xi Jinping took office, he has been consolidating military power. However, to date, Xi has yet to completely control military authority.

Xi has been purging political rivals using anti-corruption campaigns. Over the past twelve years of Xi’s rule, more than 720 officials at the Deputy Minister and above ranks, including over 200 senior military officials, have been investigated and penalized. Xi has accumulated numerous enemies among high-ranking officials, combined with his mishandling of domestic and foreign affairs, resulting in widespread disapproval among CCP members and military personnel.

If He Weidong’s rumored arrest turns out to be true, Xi’s military authority is likely to further weaken, endangering his future prospects as well.

From Xi Jinping’s showdown with Zhang Yuxia’s confidante Li Shangfu and other senior military leaders in 2023, internal power struggles between Xi and Zhang unfolded. By the 20th Third Plenary Session of the CCP in July 2024 and beyond, due to Xi’s sudden illness, the power struggle between Zhang and Xi reached its peak. Some of Xi’s close associates within the military were transferred or, like Xi’s “trusted of the trusted,” Miao Hua, were taken down. Xi’s military influence waned.

Now, news of He Weidong’s arrest has come to light. If verified, this development marks another dramatic turn in the ongoing power struggle between Xi and Zhang.

Since assuming power in 2023, Xi Jinping has been working to consolidate military authority. However, so far, Xi has not been able to fully secure control of the military.

Xi has always cleansed his political opponents through anti-corruption campaigns. Over the past twelve years of Xi’s leadership, over 720 high-ranking officials at the Deputy Provincial and Ministerial levels and more than 200 senior military officials have been targeted. Xi has made many enemies among high-ranking officials, and dissent within the Party and military against Xi’s rule is widespread.

If He Weidong’s reported arrest proves true, Xi’s military authority will likely be further weakened, posing a bleak outlook for Xi’s future.

Epoch Times Exclusive.