Recently, a petition letter listing a series of policy mistakes by the leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, and calling for his resignation, has been circulating on the internet. At the same time, the CCP’s magazine “Qiushi” published an article by Xi Jinping, mentioning “self-revolution” 30 times and emphasizing the need for “self-reform.”
Some political analysts believe that whether the petition letter directly originates from within the CCP system or not, its content is truthful and hits the crux of the issue. “Qiushi,” as a publication under the Central Propaganda Department, led by Xi Jinping’s close confidants, posting his speeches at this time appears to carry a threatening tone. However, analysts also point out that if Xi Jinping still holds considerable power, there is no need to rely on such intimidating articles to create deterrence.
Independent commentator Cai Shenkun posted on social media platform X on December 17th that he had received an email the day before, which seemed to be a petition letter written by someone within the CCP system based on its style. The letter listed a series of policy mistakes by Xi Jinping and was quite targeted. He described the contents of the letter as “worth a read,” sparking public attention.
The letter directly criticized Xi Jinping for implementing a series of extreme leftist policies in national governance and economic management. The wording was harsh, blaming him for incompetence in governance, harming the people and the economy, being keen on achievements, and criticized for breaking term limits, promoting personal worship, and consolidating power. The letter also listed Xi Jinping’s attempts to achieve comprehensive control over everyone, trying to follow the governance model of the Cultural Revolution era, such as implementing measures like the “Maple Bridge Experience” mass movement.
Furthermore, the petition letter criticized Xi Jinping for his incompetence in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to numerous casualties and severe economic losses; being generous in spending abroad at the expense of national interests; damaging democracy, freedom, and the rule of law in Hong Kong, causing the disappearance of Hong Kong’s prosperity. The letter also mentioned Xi Jinping’s delusion of unifying Taiwan by force and continuously threatening the Taiwanese people.
The letter emphasized that under Xi Jinping’s series of backward measures, the Chinese economy has significantly deteriorated into stagnation, with industries declining, the national treasury empty, finances exhausted, the country embroiled in internal and external difficulties, and both officials and civilians struggling to survive. The letter referred to Xi Jinping as the “source of chaos in China today” and stressed that as long as he continues to hold power, the country and its people will suffer more each day, calling for him to be swiftly removed from office.
Political analyst Chen Pokong, who is based in the United States, believes that while the wording of this petition letter may not be as formal as articles from CCP media, its origin from within the system remains possible.
On December 18th, Chen Pokong told a reporter from Epoch Times that if there is indeed a similar resolution within the party, it should not be measured by the standards of party media, as its language may be more colloquial or everyday. From this perspective, the emergence of a temporary resolution or petition letter within the party is not surprising, and such content may even come from senior CCP officials.
Chen Pokong stated that whether this petition letter directly originates from within the CCP system, or to what extent it is circulated within the system, its content is truthful and relevant. Similar criticisms of Xi Jinping have appeared before, but this letter is longer. He believes that this reflects the intensified anti-Xi sentiment and the atmosphere of internal struggles within the party since the Third Plenum. Therefore, despite the less regulated language in the letter, the possibility of it coming from within the system still exists.
While the “Down with Xi” petition letter is circulating widely online, the CCP’s magazine “Qiushi” published an article by Xi Jinping. This article mentions “self-revolution” at least 30 times, sparking widespread attention and interpretations.
On December 15th, “Qiushi” magazine published Xi Jinping’s article “Deepening the Party’s Self-Revolution.” In this article of just over 2,000 words, Xi Jinping mentioned “self-revolution” at least 30 times.
The article claims that with changes in tasks, external environments, and changes within party members, various contradictions and problems within the party are inevitable, and they must be promptly eliminated with the courage of “self-reform.”
The article specifically noted that this was part of Xi Jinping’s speech at the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection meeting on January 8, 2024.
Chen Pokong stated that the article published in “Qiushi” magazine is actually an old speech by Xi Jinping during his peak in power. At that time, despite incidents like high-ranking officials in the Rocket Force being arrested, the Strategic Support Force being split, and former Foreign Minister Qin Gang and former Defense Minister Li Shangfu being removed from office, Xi Jinping’s speech was forceful, apparently targeting internal party and military purges.
He believes that re-publishing Xi Jinping’s speech nearly a year later indicates an attempt by CCP media controlled by Xi Jinping’s confidants Wang Huning and Cai Qi to intimidate political opponents within the party and the military through this action. This seems to signal that Xi Jinping is ready to retaliate at any time. The impression given by this article is that Xi Jinping is preparing for another large-scale purge, signaling that the purges in recent years have been insufficient, and he intends to carry out further purges. However, if he truly has enough confidence to counterattack or still holds significant power, there is no need to publish such intimidating articles.
Regarding the expression “self-revolution,” Chen Pokong stated that this is a term of the Xi Jinping era, indicating large-scale purges within the party and the military aimed at other high-ranking officials, rather than himself. However, he also suggested that “self-revolution” is, in fact, a double-edged sword. While Xi Jinping uses this term to intimidate others, one day this weapon may be used against him.
Political commentator Li Linyi told Epoch Times that “Qiushi” magazine, under the control of Xi Jinping’s confidants at the Central Propaganda Department, is apparently attempting to intimidate through the publication of Xi Jinping’s speech.
Li Linyi stated that amidst intense internal struggles within the CCP, Xi Jinping’s mentions of “self-revolution” and “self-reform” clearly target forces within the party that oppose him, putting immense pressure on them. However, the effectiveness of this intimidation remains uncertain under Xi Jinping’s weakening power. He further suggested that this may be seen as a precursor to Xi’s faction attempting to fight back, or as an early warning.
Although “Qiushi” magazine boldly published Xi Jinping’s speech, recent articles from CCP military media have shown a different tone from Xi, continuously emphasizing “democratic centralism,” “collective leadership,” and “internal party democracy,” clearly against the “one-man rule.” These articles did not mention the system where the Chairman of the Central Military Commission is responsible, raising concerns.
On December 4th, the CCP military website published an article titled “Leading by Upholding Party Principles,” written by Zhang Mengsong from the Shaanxi Armed Police. The article emphasizes that “democratic centralism” is the “fundamental organizational principle and leadership system” of the CCP and quotes Xi Jinping stressing the need to “strictly implement democratic centralism.”
On December 9th, the CCP’s “PLA Daily” published a commentary article “Leading by Upholding Collective Leadership” by Shao Tianjiang from the Luohe Military Division in Henan Province. The article was subsequently reposted on the CCP National Defense Ministry website and other media.
The article emphasizes that “collective leadership is the core and essence of the principle of democratic centralism” and calls this one of the highest principles of CCP leadership. Quoting Deng Xiaoping, the article states that the CCP’s leadership “is collective leadership of the Party committee, not leadership by one or two individuals,” emphasizing that “a few must obey the majority, and individuals must not override the leadership collective.”
On December 11th, the CCP military website published an article “Leading by Promoting Internal Party Democracy” by Chen Qinghua from the Central Military Commission’s Reform and Organization Office. The article stressed that leading cadres should pay special attention to avoiding “personal decision-making before meetings,” “personally setting the tone during discussions,” and “personally determining the outcome of resolutions.”
On December 16th, the CCP military website again published an article “Leading by Upholding Unity within the Team” by Wu Zhibao from a certain unit of the Aerospace Forces. The article claims that to achieve unity, one must “adhere to democratic centralism,” stating that “this is the foundation of unity.”
It is worth noting that the subtitles of these four articles are all “Be a model for upholding democratic centralism.”
Chen Pokong stated that the stance of the military newspaper is evidently in contrast to Xi Jinping, and the language of these articles is particularly clear, advocating for “upholding democratic centralism” and “promoting internal party democracy.” These remarks are not aimed at grassroots levels but directly target the top leadership. The term “leading” carries implications of a rebuke to Xi Jinping.
“In other words, the era of the ‘one-man rule’ may be gone for good,” Chen Pokong said. Since the Third Plenum, various core political slogans, including the “Chairman of the Central Military Commission Responsibility System” and “Xi Jinping’s Strong Army Thought,” have stopped appearing in the military newspaper, or if mentioned, the frequency is very low. Therefore, he believes that the CCP military may have reinstated a form of collective leadership. However, whether the CCP’s party system will follow this trend remains to be observed after the Fourth Plenum and subsequent developments.