Somashekhar Ganta
The headline could well be a cryptic clue to what is reportedly unfolding in Beijing. Social media is abuzz with speculation that “She” (Xi Jinping), the all-powerful General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and President of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), is being quietly dethroned by “Who” (Hu Jintao, his predecessor) and “When” (Wen Jiabao, the former Premier and Hu’s deputy).
According to leaked inputs from Russian foreign intelligence (SVR) and Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, a silent internal coup is underway. The party elders—primarily the Hu Jintao faction—are said to have stripped Xi of his powers, pending a formal announcement during either the 4th Plenum in July or the 21st Party Congress in October.
While some sources attribute this to Xi’s failing health—allegedly multiple heart attacks and relapses—others hint at a staged and graceful exit plan. Either way, the man once seen as invincible is now preparing to fade into political oblivion.
Xi’s Fall Began with Hu’s Humiliation
The seeds of this political drama were sown in October 2022, during the CCP’s 20th Party Congress, when Hu Jintao was forcibly escorted out of the venue in full view of the world’s cameras. The message was loud and clear: in Xi’s China, only Xi matters.
But in doing so, Xi crossed a line. Mao Zedong’s death in 1976 marked the end of China’s most brutal political era—the Cultural Revolution and the reign of the Gang of Four exposed the perils of unchecked personality cults. Deng Xiaoping, who emerged as China’s paramount leader by 1978, ensured those mistakes were not repeated. He championed collective leadership, term limits, and a peaceful rise in foreign affairs. Though Deng held no official position later, he ruled through consensus with a council of elders and institutional checks.
He passed the reins to Jiang Zemin, who in turn handed over to Hu Jintao in 2002. Hu adhered strictly to Deng’s norms—no cult, no power extension, and no overreach. His rule oversaw China’s rise to economic prosperity, and he willingly shared power with party elders, including Jiang.
Then came Xi Jinping in 2012, and Deng’s legacy began to unravel.
Xi’s Authoritarian Overreach
Xi undid everything Deng had institutionalized. He centralized power, dismantled term limits, promoted a cult of personality, and sought an indefinite grip on the leadership. He inserted “Xi Jinping Thought” into the party constitution, sidelined Hu Jintao’s proteges, and used the 2022 party congress to publicly humiliate Hu. Most notably, he leaned heavily on the military to secure his third term.
Initially, Xi’s military strength came through General Zhang Youxia, whose father shared revolutionary ties with Xi’s father. This dynastic bond gave Xi access to the top military echelon via Zhang’s position in the Central Military Commission (CMC).
But distrust soon crept in. Xi promoted ultra-loyalists like General Xu Qiliang to counterbalance Zhang. Xi reportedly distrusted Zhang’s rise, knowing he had been mentored and promoted by Hu Jintao based on merit rather than loyalty.
Xi’s alienation of both Hu and Zhang eventually backfired. The public humiliation of Hu, the sidelining of Zhang, and increasing purges in the military fostered a united front against Xi. Wen Jiabao, known for his soft-spoken but firm presence during his tenure as Premier, also joined this quiet resistance.
The Crack in the Armour
Xi’s downfall accelerated with the sudden death of General Xu Qiliang in early June 2025. Though retired, Xu was key to Xi’s influence over the PLA through his network of loyal officers. In the weeks following Xu’s death, hundreds of military officers—including those from the elite Rocket Force—were purged, indicating a systematic dismantling of Xi’s power base.
The Chinese state media has since gone completely silent on Xi—a telling sign in the highly choreographed political theatre of China. In a confidential Politburo meeting in May, Xi was reportedly castigated for:
- Promoting a dangerous personality cult.
- Alienating global partners through aggressive “wolf warrior” diplomacy.
- Wrecking economic momentum by targeting tech giants like Jack Ma.
It was a moment of reckoning. The message was clear—Xi had brought China to the brink.
A Return to Deng’s Legacy?
A new leadership structure is already taking shape. Wang Yang, a seasoned technocrat, and Hu Chunhua, a close Hu Jintao protégé and Peking University alumnus, are emerging as the civilian face of the post-Xi order. Zhang Youxia, still respected within the military, is likely to take over as chairman of the CMC.
If Wang Yang becomes General Secretary or President, he could act as a consensus candidate acceptable to both camps. Hu Chunhua would then likely assume the role of Premier. However, if Hu Chunhua ascends to the top position, Xi and his loyalists may face an aggressive political purge.
What’s evident is that the Deng-era style of collective leadership, strategic patience, and institutional balance may be making a comeback.
Implications for the World
If this transition plays out, a profound shift in China’s foreign policy could follow. The confrontational “wolf warrior” diplomacy may be abandoned in favour of pragmatism. Relations with the US, EU, and immediate neighbours such as India, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines may improve. The people of Hong Kong, too, may see a softer, more accommodating stance from Beijing.
From aggressive assertion to peaceful coexistence—China may be on the cusp of a strategic course correction. And for a watching world, that could be the most consequential political development of this decade.
