Changes

In 2021 observers noted increasing signs of Xi Jinping's fear for his own personal security.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion-six-hidden-threats-xi-jinping-has-to-guard-against_3725889.html</ref>  Xi had not left the country in nearly two years, and addressed the United Nations General Assembly via teleconference. The power struggle between the various factions of the CCP became increasingly fierce.  

In 2021 observers noted increasing signs of Xi Jinping's fear for his own personal security.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/opinion-six-hidden-threats-xi-jinping-has-to-guard-against_3725889.html</ref>  Xi had not left the country in nearly two years, and addressed the United Nations General Assembly via teleconference. The power struggle between the various factions of the CCP became increasingly fierce.  

In January 2021, Lai Xiaomin, the former head of China Huarong Asset Management, a China "Big Four" asset management company, was sentenced to death without reprieve on alleged corruption charges.  It was revealed months later Lai was involved in the 2014 plot to kill Xi Jinping in Nanjing.  Lai was known to have close ties to Zeng Qinghong, the former vice president of China.  Zeng was a die-hard loyalist of former CCP leader Jiang Zemin. Fu Zhenghua, deputy director of the Social and Legal Affairs Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) came under disciplinary investigation at the direction of Xi Jinping.  Fu led the 2013 purges which became the cornerstone of Xi's power.

In January 2021, Lai Xiaomin, the former head of China Huarong Asset Management, a China "Big Four" asset management company, was sentenced to death without reprieve on alleged corruption charges.  It was revealed months later Lai was involved in the 2014 plot to kill Xi Jinping in Nanjing.  Lai was known to have close ties to Zeng Qinghong, the former vice president of China.  Zeng was a die-hard loyalist of former CCP leader Jiang Zemin.  

 

Two top figures in the 610 office were removed by Xi Jinping, Sun Lijun and Fu Zhenghua.  Both climbed the ranks of the political and legal affairs apparatus during Jiang’s era of dominance from 1997  to 2012. Both were also trusted enough by the Jiang faction to be allowed to helm its anti-Falun Gong campaign.  In 2015, Fu was head of the supra-authority 610 Office and Sun was his deputy.  Fu until recently was deputy director of the Social and Legal Affairs Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), or Justice Minister, came under disciplinary investigation at the direction of Xi Jinping.  Fu led the 2013 purges which became the cornerstone of Xi's power.

After the August 2021 Baidu conference, there have been rumors about whether Wang Yang would replace Xi as the next top leader of the CCP. On September 6, 2021 Xi appointed five generals, the first time that the new positions of the five people were publicly disclosed.  It's worth noting that the Commander of the Western Theatre, the largest theater, is the fourth change of commander in nine month.  In addition, because the Central Theater determines Beijing's safety, the replacement of commanders is also of great concern.  The control of the PLA has always been Xi's weak point.  

After the August 2021 Baidu conference, there have been rumors about whether Wang Yang would replace Xi as the next top leader of the CCP. On September 6, 2021 Xi appointed five generals, the first time that the new positions of the five people were publicly disclosed.  It's worth noting that the Commander of the Western Theatre, the largest theater, is the fourth change of commander in nine month.  In addition, because the Central Theater determines Beijing's safety, the replacement of commanders is also of great concern.  The control of the PLA has always been Xi's weak point.