By Li Jingyao, Vision Times
Political shockwaves are once again rippling through Beijing as two of leader Xi Jinping’s most powerful lieutenants — men once seen as untouchable — are now rumored to be under direct scrutiny from China’s military investigators. According to reports, former Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui has reportedly been taken away for a probe by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).
Meanwhile, Politburo Standing Committee member and Central Office (Zhongban) Director Cai Qi (who hasn’t been seen in public for weeks) remains radio silent. Now, new reports allege that on Nov. 8, military discipline inspectors escorted him out of a Guangzhou hotel. The Politburo acts as China’s top ruling body.
Analysts believe the military is zeroing in on two of the most sensitive posts in the Party-state system: Cai Qi, director of the Central Office (who oversees the Central Guard Bureau), and Wang Xiaohong, China’s minister of public security — the two most important positions tied directly to physical control of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) top ranks.
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Ma Xingrui and wife are snatched up
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On Nov. 18, Chinese dissident blogger Jiang Wangzheng reported that he had obtained “reliable information from two independent channels — Fujian’s provincial CCDI and the Beijing CCDI” claiming that Ma Xingrui and his wife, Rong Li, were taken away for investigation around 10 p.m. that night.
According to the rumor, Rong Li’s funds are tied to Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan’s private assets, with alleged deposits reaching 70 to 80 billion yuan, part of which is supposedly held in Canada — a detail that aligns with long-circulated rumors about Xi family wealth overseas.
Jiang previously reported in July that Ma had already been questioned shortly after stepping down as Xinjiang Party Secretary. He may have been released after initial questioning, only to be taken in again now. U.S.-based commentator Dr. Lei Ge believes this time the situation is far more serious.
RELATED: A Tightening Noose: Ma Xingrui in Crisis as Peng Liyuan Feels the Heat
“He was officially removed for ‘another appointment,’ but it’s been four months and still no announcement,” said Dr. Lei. That is very strange.” Dr. Lei also noted that earlier rumors claimed Ma had been assigned to the CPPCC, yet no official confirmation ever followed. “His problems are clearly not over.”
Political analyst Chen Pokong agrees with the viewpoint noting that “Ma Xingrui has long been under investigation. His fall is only a matter of time.” He added that Ma’s sudden recall to Beijing mirrors the pattern of Jing Junhai, another Xi loyalist believed to be on the brink of collapse. “Jing Junhai recently visited his alma mater, copying the Zhou Yongkang model of a ‘farewell appearance.’ If Jing is speeding toward Qincheng Prison, Ma Xingrui is likely close behind.”
Wang Xiaohong re-emerges after a 10-day absence
After disappearing from public view for more than a week, Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong resurfaced on Nov. 18 at a meeting on “comprehensive rule of law.” Dr. Lei Ge described the appearance as a choreographed attempt to quell rumors. “CCTV’s camera flashed over him once — it had a bit of a rumor-dispelling flavor.”
RELATED: Xi’s Inner Circle Falters: Inside the Disappearances of Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong
Lei emphasized that when FBI Director Kash Patel traveled to Beijing to discuss fentanyl, it should have been Wang who met him. Instead, the meeting was handled by the No. 3 vice minister, Xu Datong: “This tells you everything — Wang Xiaohong has been excluded from important affairs. This public security minister no longer holds real power.”
Meanwhile, Chen Pokong concurs that Wang’s situation is dire: “He has been completely ‘emptied out.’ His top aide Dong Yijun suddenly died, and his loyalists — Qi Yanjun, Xu Ganlu, Chen Siyuan, Sun Maoli — have all fallen or been removed. Their posts were filled by non-Xi faction officials. The pattern is clear.”
Reports: Cai Qi taken by military inspectors in Guangdong
While Wang Xiaohong has at least reappeared, Cai Qi remains entirely absent. Multiple reports claim that on the night of Nov. 8, Cai was taken from a Guangzhou hotel by the Military Discipline Inspection Commission, shortly after accompanying Xi Jinping on a visit to Meizhou.
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Lei Ge offered striking details from inside sources, alleging that “Cai Qi was staying at a hotel. His inner security was Central Guard Bureau, and the outer ring was local Public Security police. But that night, all guards were suddenly replaced — the military took over.”
According to the rumor, Zhang Youxia personally led the team, confronted Xi and Peng Liyuan directly, and took Cai away in front of them. Zhang allegedly told Xi that Cai Qi was suspected of “leaking state military secrets” and would be held in Beijing for three months to “explain the situation.”
The current deputy director of the Central Office, Meng Xiangfeng, is said to be acting director.
Toppling Xi’s sources of power
Lei Ge argues that the military is now fixated on two posts and two people — all core members of Xi’s Fujian faction:
- Cai Qi — Director of the Central Office (controls the Central Guard Bureau)
- Wang Xiaohong — Minister of Public Security (has control over domestic affairs)
He notes that Xi’s Fujian clique inside the military — including Miao Hua and He Weidong — has already been wiped out. “In the Party-state system, the two most critical remaining Fujian-clique positions are exactly those held by Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong.”
RELATED: He Weidong and Miao Hua Purge Signals Deep Military Turmoil in China
Lei added, “After Zhang Youxia seized control of the military, he must neutralize both the Public Security Ministry and the Central Office to sleep well at night. Both institutions command guns — one oversees national police, the other the Central Guard Bureau.”
He also predicts that both officials will eventually reappear in controlled settings — not because they are safe, but because the Party elders still need Xi to “sit on the dragon throne” as a symbolic figure: “As long as Xi is still there, they won’t immediately take down Wang or Cai — especially Cai. But both posts will be changed. Cai Qi’s dual role as Politburo Standing Committee member and Central Office director is untenable.”
“The public security minister position is pivotal. Once Wang Xiaohong is moved, it means Xi Jinping and his inner circle will be hollowed out — and Xi’s downfall draws closer,” adds Chen Pokong.
Editorial note: Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Vision Times.
