The Mystery of Xi Jinping's Disappearance: A Silent Coup at the Heart of Chinese Power?
Lately, the political atmosphere in Beijing, especially in the seat of power of the Chinese Communist Party, Zhongnanhai, has been filled with an increasingly real aroma of strangeness. The entire country is shaken by whispers—what is really going on behind the red walls of the palace of power?
It has been eight days since Xi Jinping, China's supreme leader, has disappeared without a trace from the public space. Since his visit to Henan on May 20, there has been no sighting, not even a silhouette. State media only show messages of congratulations from Xi, as if there is an attempt to reassure the public that "everything is fine". However, that is precisely what has fueled speculation: something is going on, something big and unprecedented.
A New Chapter of Issues in Beijing: No Longer Sick, But... Replaced?
The rumors among Beijing society are no longer just about the leader's health. The issue that is developing is more astonishing: Xi Jinping may have been secretly replaced. But because the political situation is very sensitive, everything is done behind closed doors. There is no official announcement in the media. No statement on television. People can only guess based on the “fragments” of sudden changes that appear. The truth is now hidden in those fragments.
Portrait of Power Fragmentation: Signs from Behind the Scenes
Let’s put the pieces together one by one. Starting from the collective silence of the Politburo members, to the shift in political discourse and narrative in the party media. Then, one figure suddenly appeared very vocal amidst the silence: Wang Huning.
On May 28, Wang Huning appeared to preside over a large meeting of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CCPCC). His speech sounded like old rhetoric at first glance, but there was something different. He did not mention the “two determinations” and “two safeguards”—the two main pillars of Xi Jinping’s power—at all. Instead, he replaced those terms with a narrative that was very familiar from the Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao eras: “Scientific, democratic, and law-based decision-making.”
This was no small change. Wang Huning seemed to be saying to the party ranks: “We will return to the old path.”
The narrative of the Xi era was slowly being packaged, while the Hu-Wen terms were popularized again. The party media also adapted, shifting the slogan “living the spirit of Xi Jinping’s speech” to “implementing the decision-making ideas of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao.” It’s like a halal restaurant suddenly selling soy sauce pork—it’s not just the signboard that’s changed, it’s also the chef in the kitchen.
Wang Huning: The Director of Power Change
Who is Wang Huning? He is not a new player. He has been the main architect of the party narrative since the Jiang Zemin era, the creator of the “Three Represents” slogan, the author of the “Scientific Development” concept for Hu Jintao, and the creator of the “China Dream” jargon for Xi Jinping. His brilliant career was due to his ability to bend the narrative flow to suit whoever was in power. When the wind changed, he was the one who changed the stage decoration. He was not an actor on screen, but a director behind the scenes. Now, Xi Jinping is no longer on the scene, and Wang Huning has begun to change the background of the story.
What is most important is not what he said, but why he was able to say so much and so openly. In the CCP’s political system, who can speak, how much, and when, are systemic decisions. If Wang Huning is given this wide stage, it means that he has a mandate from the “invisible hands” in the party.
“Xi Family” Disappears, Hu-Era Cadres Rise
Not only Xi Jinping disappeared, but also his entire circle of confidants. Li Xi, Secretary of the Discipline Commission, was last seen on May 13, 2024. Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier, suddenly disappeared after an official event on May 23. Cai Qi only appeared symbolically, without a chance to speak.
In contrast, figures like Shǐ Taifeng—who is a “disciple” of Hu Jintao—have risen. He now holds key positions: Minister of Central Organization, Vice Chairman of the Supervision Group, and controller of party building. Under his control, not a single Xi loyalist was promoted. The ranks of the Politburo suddenly “shrank”.
The Military Begins to Move: Signals of a Silent Coup
This is the most tense chapter: the military intervenes. There are two important names—Zhang Youxia and Liu Yuan. Zhang, Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, and Liu Yuan, a symbol of the “second-generation red boy” who is full of historical legitimacy.
According to sources in Beijing, Liu Yuan attempted to shake the power of Cai Qi, Xi's right-hand man, by eyeing the position of Head of the Party Central Office. This position has long been the "seal of power" of the supreme leader. However, Liu Yuan was "secured" by Xi. Before acting, Liu Yuan had already left a message to Zhang Youxia: "If I don't come back, you know what to do." Liu Yuan then "disappeared", allegedly being detained in Zhongnanhai.
It turned out that Xi's action was wrong. The loyalty of the red boy is not subject to party rules, but to hereditary solidarity. Zhang Youxia then mobilized 200 special forces to free Liu Yuan—a dramatic move that became a "silent coup" in the military.
Another fact that strengthens this scenario: The Head of the Central Guard Bureau has been replaced with a confidant of Zhang Youxia. In the Chinese system, even replacing a regimental commander requires hierarchical approval. But now, what is being replaced is the main guard at the heart of power. This is only possible if the military is truly no longer obedient to Xi Jinping.
Military Media and Systemic Coup Signals
The coup signal had actually been echoed for a long time. Since July 2024, the PLA Daily has carried the slogan: “Uphold collective leadership, prioritize democracy.”
In September and November, it increasingly highlighted the dangers of authoritarian leaders and the importance of democratic centralism. In December, the attack became more open: “Lead with collectivity.” All of this indicated that the military refused to submit to “one absolute commander.”
After that period, the terms “great leader,” “commander-in-chief,” and “absolute power holder” disappeared from the mainstream media. Xi Jinping’s photo no longer dominates, and the ‘Learning Strong Country’ app is quiet. All of these are signs of “storage in the warehouse”—the leader no longer holds real control.
National Military Meeting: Zhang Youxia Takes the Stage
The peak occurred on May 28, when the “All-China Military Training Field Construction Observation and Exchange Meeting” was held. Formally, this event was called “with Xi Jinping’s approval,” but the one who led all the proceedings, speeches, and briefings was Zhang Youxia. Not only did he lead, he also spoke as the supreme commander. The focus of his speech was no longer political jargon, but on combat readiness, efficiency, transformation, and synergy of military power—the true language of the military.
This event involved the entire Central Military Commission, all command zones, all branches of the armed forces, police units, and combat units, as well as military universities—the largest and broadest meeting, led by a “deputy,” but with the authority of a “commander-in-chief.”
Currently, the Central Military Commission consists of only four people: Xi Jinping (only chairman on paper), Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli, and Zhang Shengmin—the latter two were Zhang’s protégés. The actual structure is the “Zhang Youxia three-man group.”
Power Transition: CCP Without a Driver
What does this all mean? Xi Jinping has lost control of the military, both systemically and operationally. Zhang Youxia’s takeover has been in the works since 2024, and it will happen in 2025.
However, this situation creates a leadership vacuum: who will step forward? Wang Huning as the bridge of the collective narrative? Zhang Youxia and the “red boy” network that controls the military? Or the reformist group like Hu Chunhua or Wang Yang? All possibilities are open, but none dare to make the first move—because the first to step forward is the most vulnerable to being eliminated.
Conclusion: Xi Jinping’s Final Chapter, the CCP’s New Chapter
The Xi Jinping era is almost certainly entering its final chapter. The coup was not announced, but the process of taking over power is proceeding quietly but surely. Party media, political narratives, and shifts in power within the military are clear evidence.
China is now at a “driverless” point. The entire system is waiting: who dares to step forward to take the baton, who is smart enough to maintain consensus. One thing is for sure, the people have read the signs—and this major process is already underway, even if it has not been openly acknowledged.
