The two-week absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping from public view has sparked speculation, including concerns about a possible power struggle, social unrest, and his health. Notably, the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) did not hold its monthly Politburo meeting in May, and no official announcement about it was made. This sparked strong rumors about Xi’s eroding power, internal rivalry and growing dissent. However, loyalists and political observers in Beijing argue that Xi’s hold on power remained firm.
Citing top-level officials in Beijing, veteran US-based political commentator Cai Shenkun said Xi was under pressure from the CCP leaders to resign from all party, government and military posts. Cai shared an open letter written in December 2024 by high-ranking officials to Xi, wherein 28 errors committed by the latter were listed. The letter accused Xi of misguided government and economic policies, wastage of public resources, political violations, and power overreach, among others. Calling Xi no longer fit to lead the country, these officials demanded his resignation and sought to abandon the current dictatorship-prone system.
Yuan Hongbing, a former law professor at Peking University, and Yao Cheng, a former lieutenant colonel in the CCP’s navy, both in exile, echoed similar views. They said the opponents were joining hands to ensure Xi does not get another term, leaving him with no option but to leave. “He will step down as general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the Central Military Commission, retaining only the ceremonial title of China’s chairman, before fully retiring at the 21st National Congress,” Yao said.
Xi started losing his control over the power in April 2024, and there is uncertainty about the future direction, said Jenifer Zeng, a member of the International Press Association. And Xi’s recent absence from public view has only emboldened the persistent rumors of a power struggle. “This absence, coupled with unusual developments in the CCP, echoes historical patterns of leadership transitions in China. The CCP’s operations have also shown alarming irregularities. The Political Bureau, which typically meets monthly, failed to convene in late May 2025. That was despite rumors of an earlier meeting to oust Xi,” Zeng said.
Cai Qi, a Xi loyalist and the first-ranking member of the CCP’s Politburo, was sent to the less important United Front Work Department, which was seen as a dilution of Xi’s powers. The speculation became stronger after Qi was replaced by Shi Taifeng, a close associate of former leaders Hu Jintao and Li Keqiang. Since then, some of the Xi loyalists have been transferred or shunted. Interestingly, CCP-run news outlets such as People’s Daily and Xinhua have been highlighting the governance principles of former President Hu.
Earlier in June 2024, People’s Daily omitted Xi-related news for three consecutive days even as it appealed for collective leadership, which was in contrast with Xi’s extreme consolidation of power.
China’s growing unemployment and declining wages are politically sensitive issues with the potential to weaken social stability. “Unemployed individuals are seen as having less to lose from protesting and so pose a greater risk,” said Neil Thomas, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.
Xi is blamed for the increasing incidences of violent social protests in China as he has preferred crackdowns, surveillance and suppression to deal with people’s frustration at failures to improve employment opportunities. Willy Wo-Lap Lam, a Senior Fellow at the Washington DC-based Jamestown Foundation, said Xi was set to lose the political capital needed to advance his agenda.
“Xi Jinping is in political trouble. The supreme leader of the People’s Republic of China faces challenges from multiple groups, including from retired politburo standing committee members, fellow princelings, some of the military top brass, and even from some in the country’s middle class,” he said.
Saurabh Katkurwar is an independent journalist. He has worked as a staff reporter for the Hindustan Times, IANS, MidDay and TV9.
