Xi Jinping’s Close Ally Miao Hua Reportedly Detained | China Truths

Welcome to China Truths. In this episode, we will bring you the following stories. Another Xi Jinping Loyalist Demoted Xi Jinping's close ally Miao Hua reportedly detained. Now, let's dive into the details. It's all covered in today's China Truths. Another Xi Jinping Loyalist Demoted Recently, Xi Jinping ally Yi Lianhong, former Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, was unexpectedly reassigned to the Finance and Economic Committee of the National People's Congress, or NPC, marking a transition to a secondary role. Political analysts suggest this personnel shift indicates Xi's increasingly challenging situation and reflects his inability to continue protecting his loyalists, signifying a political setback. On November 8, the 12th session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee closed in Beijing, during which Yi Lianhong was appointed as Deputy Director of the Finance and Economic Committee of the NPC, marking his official retreat. Yi Lianhong is a member of CCP's 20th Central Committee and previously served as Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province. On October 28, CCP abruptly announced Yi's departure from this role, to be replaced by Zhejiang Governor Wang Hao. Public records show Yi, 65 years old, comes from Laodi, Hunan. Since November 2011, he held various posts, including positions in Hunan and Liaoning provinces, and later became Party Secretary of Jiangxi Province in 2021. In December 2022, he was reassigned to lead Zhejiang Province, only to step down this October. Yi frequently praised Xi in public. In a recent leadership meeting in Zhejiang, Yi emphasized the province's importance as a key origin of Xi's ideology. While serving in Jiangxi, Yi published articles in People's Daily, vowing to make support for Xi part of his blood and soul. Since the 18th CCP National Congress, Xi's chosen officials like Xia Bailong, Cui Jun, Yuan Zhejun, Yi Lianhong, and Wang Hao have successively led Zhejiang. Political analyst Chen Pokong believes that Yi's abrupt reassignment was neither a standard reshuffle nor a retirement transition. He notes that Yi's term in Zhejiang was cut short, suggesting it wasn't Xi's original plan for Yi to be removed so soon. According to Chen, this action likely reflects opposition forces within the party undermining Xi's position and signaling his weakening political power. Earlier this year, former Jilin Province Secretary Jing Junhai, another ally of Xi, was reassigned to the NPC's Education, Science, Culture, and Public Health Committee, prompting speculation about his career trajectory. Originally expected to advance within the Central Committee, Jing's reassignment surprised observers. According to Chen, these recent shifts reflect intensifying internal opposition against Xi, particularly after rumors surfaced about Xi's health issues during the party's 20th Central Committee's third plenary session in July. While Xi has continued public appearances, opposition pressure on his allies appears to be increasing. Xi Jinping's Close Ally Miaohua Reportedly Detained On Nov. 8, China's Foreign Ministry announced that Xi Jinping would embark on a nine-day trip to South America on the 13th, attending the APEC leaders' informal meeting and the G20 summit. Xi has previously taken trips lasting over nine days, primarily at the start of his tenure, such as his first visit to Russia and Africa from March 22 to 30, 2013, and his Europe visit from March 22 to April 2, 2014. Such long trips have not occurred in the past five years. With China facing internal and external crises and with political tensions within the party, Xi's prolonged absence may leave the domestic situation precarious. On Nov. 11, independent commentator Cai Xinkun posted on X that Central Military Commission CMC member and director of the Political Work Department, Admiral Miaohua, was taken away by the CMC's Discipline Inspection Commission. Cai indicated that this signified a purge of Xi's faction in charge of military propaganda and personnel, with senior officers promoted by Miaohua, including newly appointed defense minister Admiral Dong Jun, likely affected. Cai remarked that this development signifies a major blow to Xi's favored Fujian clique within the military. Former naval officer Yao Qing also confirmed the news, claiming the escalation of internal CMC conflicts and public investigation of Miaohua. While unconfirmed by official sources, previous reports of senior military officials and defense industry executives facing issues later proved accurate. Cai Xinkun and Yao Qing, based in the U.S., have ties within the Chinese system and often share credible information. The last record of Miaohua's activities was on Oct. 7, when he attended the 70th anniversary of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. On Oct. 29, Miaohua appeared at the opening ceremony of a training course at the Central Party School, looking visibly tense. In February, freelance writer Du Xing described Miaohua as a silent giant tiger within the military, insinuating he was corrupt and had planted loyalists in key positions. Officers needed Miaohua's approval for promotions before Xi would approve them. Miaohua, now 68, has close ties to Xi from their time in Fujian. Transferring from the army to the navy in 2014, Miaohua was appointed as head of the work department in 2017, taking charge of military personnel decisions. Since July, reports of political anomalies have surfaced, suggesting Xi's power, particularly over the military, has weakened. Senior military figure Zhang Youxia, supported by party elders, has appeared prominently. In October, Yao Qing posted on X about Zhang possibly targeting the navy, noting former commissars Qin Xingxiang and Yuan Huazhi were under investigation. Both were appointed during Miaohua's time as navy political commissar and are considered Xi loyalists. Yao argued that if Miaohua faces trouble, Xi may effectively lose control of the military. On July 9, CMC political work department's deputy director Yi Hongjun was promoted to general and elevated to first deputy, signaling the installment of a subordinate with substantial power under Miaohua. His promotion was interpreted as potentially arranged by Zhang With Xi about to depart for a nine-day trip, concerns over domestic instability have intensified. A leaked internal document from Xi's December 2023 visit to Vietnam highlighted security protocols to ensure national political security and overall stability during Xi's absence. Based on precedent, Xi will likely worry about domestic disturbances, including public uprisings or internal military conflicts, while abroad. Recently, Hunan province saw an unprecedented event known as the Night Ride Revolution, where 200,000 people reportedly took part in a mass bike ride from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng. The movement has spread nationwide, with Tiananmen Square in Beijing becoming a focal point. Authorities reportedly view the movement as influenced by hostile forces and have intensified controls. With Miaohua's reported detention just as she prepares to leave, the situation poses an ominous sign for Xi's administration. This might leave Xi anxious while abroad, fearing potential domestic instability. Should he proceed to South America, Xi may worry about a possible coup or the inability to return to Beijing. History has shown that significant changes can happen unexpectedly and anything is possible.