Cracks in the CCP: What the 4th Plenum Really Reveals
None of the expectations for Xi Jinping were met in the 4th CCP Plenum, but anomalies point to serious internal fractures, including with the PLA.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s long-anticipated Fourth Plenum concluded on October 23. In the weeks leading up to it, speculation had swirled that Xi Jinping might relinquish one or even all of his three supreme positions — Party General Secretary, State President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. None of that happened.
At first glance, this outcome should have settled the question of whether Xi has lost power. Yet, strikingly, it has not. Those who believe that Xi remains firmly in control and those who believe his authority has eroded are still reading the same facts in opposite ways.
Why? To answer that, let us look at several key facts — and what they really suggest beneath the surface.
Fact 1: The Sudden Fall of Generals
Three days before the plenum, it was the People's Liberation Army — not Xinhua, as would normally be the case — that announced the dismissal of nine senior generals. Among them was General He Weidong, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and effectively the PLA's No 2 officer.
For context: back on March 13 of 2025, I was the first to report in English on He Weidong's downfall. That was more than seven months ago, and ahead of any mainstream outlet.
After He's removal, the seven-member CMC was reduced to only four. Ahead of the meeting, former Chinese Navy headquarters staff officer Yao Cheng revealed what he said was a new CMC roster. According to his information, Xi Jinping was preparing to resign as CMC chairman, and four new members — including the current defense minister, Admiral Dong Jun — would be added to fill the vacancies.
In reality, none of that happened. Xi Jinping remained as chairman. The only change was the promotion of Zhang Shengmin, previously head of the CMC's Discipline Inspection Commission, to vice chairman. No one else was added.
That means the CMC now has only four members in total. Even more unusual, Zhang Shengmin, though promoted, was not elevated to the Politburo as is customary. The Politburo seat vacated by He Weidong remains empty.
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10/27/2025
