6

Jun

Is Chinese Strongman Xi Jinping on the way out 

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Gopal Misra

A person with glasses and a mustache AI-generated content may be incorrect.

New Delhi | Friday | 6 June 2025

Recent reports in certain American and Chinese diaspora media outlets suggest that the removal of China’s current leader, President Xi Jinping, could be imminent. However, these predictions lack credible evidence and require substantial corroboration. Alarmingly, some retired Indian generals—frequent voices on social media, including platforms operated by former civil servants—have also echoed these unverified claims.

In an apparent attempt to discredit Xi, sections of the Indian media have published unsubstantiated stories, including one claiming that the U.S. government, under the Trump Administration, might revoke the visa of Xi Mingze, Xi Jinping’s daughter. Xi Mingze, who has reportedly been studying at Harvard for the past 15 years, maintains a low profile and is believed to be under joint protection by American and Chinese security agencies. She is the daughter of President Xi and Peng Liyuan, a celebrated Chinese folk singer. She is expected to celebrate her 33rd birthday on June 25.

Amid these speculative narratives, some commentators from China and Taiwan have suggested that internal signals from within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) indicate a weakening of Xi's grip on power. The re-emergence of sidelined factions within the CCP is cited as evidence of possible leadership change. These observers claim that a managed exit for Xi Jinping may be underway.

The purported resurgence of the Communist Youth League faction and the recent purge of military officials reportedly close to Xi are seen as signs of his diminishing influence. Additionally, the decision not to name the Guanzhong Revolutionary Memorial Hall in Shaanxi Province after Xi's father, Xi Zhongxun—a revered Communist revolutionary—is interpreted as symbolic of Xi’s waning political clout.

 

Article at a Glance
Recent reports from American and Chinese diaspora media suggest that President Xi Jinping's removal may be imminent, but these claims lack credible evidence and require further verification. Some retired Indian generals have echoed these unsubstantiated narratives, including a story about the U.S. potentially revoking the visa of Xi's daughter, Xi Mingze, who has been studying at Harvard. Observers from China and Taiwan note signs of Xi's weakening power within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), citing the resurgence of sidelined factions and recent purges of military officials close to him. Speculation surrounds Xi's potential removal or a shift to a ceremonial role by 2027. The recent reappearance of former leader Hu Jintao and other marginalised figures has intensified discussions about Xi's declining influence. However, Indian media's reliance on unverified sources highlights the need for greater journalistic integrity in reporting on these sensitive issues.

 

On May 21, Cai Shenkun, a veteran journalist with his own YouTube channel, claimed that elements within the CCP had reached a consensus that Xi must step down. He previously reported on ongoing power shifts within the party and the military. According to him, growing discontent among senior party leaders is fueled by China’s economic downturn, increasing global pressure, and Xi’s allegedly deteriorating health.

It is speculated that Xi may be removed from power or stripped of his executive authority at the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, scheduled for late August 2025. Another possibility is that he could remain as a ceremonial figure until 2027, when the next Party Congress is set to choose a new leader.

The Return of Hu Jintao

The recent reappearance of 87-year-old Hu Jintao, who governed China from 2003 to 2013, is being interpreted as a key indicator of Xi’s declining influence. Hu's tenure emphasised “scientific, democratic, and law-based decision-making.” He was believed to be Deng Xiaoping’s chosen successor and championed a unique model blending capitalist economics with Communist Party control. During his era, Chinese corporations were used to advance China’s geopolitical interests abroad. As some observers humorously note, “The British had one East India Company; China has many.”

On May 19, both the People’s Daily and the Xinhua News Agency published articles praising Hu-era governance principles. These publications have intensified speculation about Xi's potential fall from power. It is worth recalling that Hu was publicly escorted out of the closing session of the CCP’s 20th National Congress in October 2022, a moment widely viewed as symbolic of Xi's consolidation of authority.

The reappearance of Hu Chunhua, a former Politburo member and a prominent Youth League figure marginalised at the 20th Congress, further fuels these discussions. His recent visits to several African nations have reignited speculation about a factional resurgence against Xi.

According to U.S.-based commentator Chen Pokong, these developments signal a political comeback of the anti-Xi faction.

Yao Cheng, a former lieutenant colonel in the Chinese Navy who defected to the U.S. in 2016, told U.S.-based Chinese journalists that Xi's authority has effectively eroded. He predicted that Xi would resign as General Secretary of the CCP and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, retaining only the largely symbolic title of President until a complete retirement at the 21st Party Congress.

The Indian Media's Role

Unfortunately, Indian media outlets have mostly been relaying reports from non-Indian sources without independent verification. Neither Indian diplomats nor journalists currently have reliable access to first-hand information about the political situation in Beijing. As a result, much of the coverage remains speculative, reinforcing the need for greater caution and journalistic integrity in reporting on sensitive international developments.

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