Chinese Minister of State Security Chen Yixin was notably absent from a high-profile State Council study session on June 15, prompting discussion among China observers and analysts about the significance of his unexplained absence.
According to Chinese state media, Premier Li Qiang presided over the State Council’s 20th collective study session, which was attended by vice premiers, state councilors, and the heads of major ministries and commissions. Footage released by state broadcaster CCTV showed most senior officials present.
But observers noted that the Ministry of State Security was represented not by Chen but by Vice Minister Ma Wanteng. The appearance drew attention because ministry heads typically attend such sessions unless they are unavailable or the position is vacant.
Public records also indicate that Chen has not appeared in publicly-reported activities since early June. The latest reports published on official political-legal affairs websites referenced meetings and inspection tours conducted “recently,” without specifying exact dates.
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While there is no official indication that Chen is facing disciplinary issues, unexplained absences by senior Chinese officials often attract scrutiny due to the opaque nature of elite politics in Beijing. Chen is one of Xi Jinping’s longtime political associates from Zhejiang Province and is widely considered a member of the so-called “Zhijiang New Army,” a network of officials who worked with Xi during his years as Zhejiang party secretary.
After Xi rose to national power, Chen advanced through a series of senior positions, including party secretary of Wenzhou, Wuhan, and later secretary-general of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission. In 2022, he was appointed minister of state security.
Since taking charge of the Ministry of State Security, Chen has overseen a significant shift in the agency’s public profile. Traditionally one of China’s most secretive institutions, the ministry has become increasingly visible through public statements, social media campaigns, and commentary on issues ranging from espionage and national security to economic stability and foreign affairs.
On June 15, China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) (the country’s top anti-corruption watchdog) announced that Xu Kai, a standing committee member of the Party committee of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture and secretary of its Political and Legal Affairs Commission, was under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law,” the standard phrase used in corruption probes involving Chinese officials.
Xu’s investigation marks the latest disciplinary case involving an official who served in Xinjiang during Ma Xingrui’s tenure as regional Party secretary. Ma, another staunch Xi loyalist, was sacked as Xinjiang Party secretary in July 2025 before authorities announced a formal investigation into him in April 2026.
A controversial career
Under Chen’s leadership, the ministry launched several public awareness campaigns encouraging citizens to report suspected espionage activities. State security authorities also expanded warnings about national security threats in areas such as finance, technology, academia, and online communications.
Some of these initiatives generated debate among analysts, who noted that the ministry appeared to be taking a more active role in areas traditionally handled by other government agencies.
One notable example came in late 2023 when the Ministry of State Security published articles warning against activities that could allegedly undermine China’s economic security. The ministry argued that financial risks and negative narratives about China’s economy could pose national security concerns, a position that attracted attention because economic policy has traditionally fallen outside the ministry’s public portfolio.
The agency has also become increasingly active in public messaging on foreign policy and geopolitical issues, further distinguishing Chen’s tenure from that of his predecessors.
Chen’s absence comes at a time when China’s anti-corruption campaign continues to target senior officials across the party-state apparatus. Though at present, there is no evidence linking his absence to any investigation, unexpected disappearances from important meetings have historically preceded official announcements of removal or even criminal prosecution.
