In the run-up to the all-important Third Plenum of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s Central Committee—a once in five-year event—a relatively low-ranking political cadre in the military was suddenly promoted to the rank of general. His rapid promotion at this significant time has China watchers speculating about what CCP leader Xi Jinping has planned for him.
He Hongjun, deputy director of the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), was promoted to general and executive deputy director of the Political Work Department of the CMC.
Wang Juntao, U.S.-based chairman of the National Committee of the China Democratic Party, told The Epoch Times that Mr. He is a political cadre in the military who is responsible for the ideological and disciplinary improvement of the army. His promotion would mean that Xi has important tasks to entrust to him, possible related to recent purges from CCP ranks.
“If He Hongjun remains only a lieutenant general, it will be difficult for him to handle affairs involving other generals. Moreover, as the executive deputy director of the Political Work Department of the CMC, He Hongjun will wield considerable power. If he is tasked with rectifying military discipline, it could mean that a large number of people will be purged,” Mr. Wang said.
The Third Plenary Session, or plenum of the CCP Central Committee, which kicked off on June 15 and is expected to run till June 18, is an important event in China’s political calendar. Historically, these sessions have been pivotal for the introduction of major reforms and policy shifts, such as the economic reform and opening-up policy initiated by Deng Xiaoping in 1978 and more recent efforts to restructure state-owned enterprises and promote sustainable development.
An Unconventional Promotion
China expert and commentator Chen Pokong says that Mr. He’s promotion is highly unusual since he was promoted to the rank of general despite his junior qualifications.In an interview with The Epoch Times on July 12, Mr. Chen said that those promoted to the rank of general are usually commanders and political commissars of the military regions or members of the four headquarters—General Staff Headquarters, General Political Department, General Logistics Department, and General Armament Department. Mr. He was previously deputy director of the Political Work Department of the CMC.
According to Mr. Chen, what is even more unusual is that in order to strengthen Mr. He’s status while promoting him to general, he was also promoted to executive deputy director of the Political Work Department.
Mr. Chen believes that this is to exclude the director of the CMC’s Political Work Department, Admiral Miao Hua.
“Miao Hua is likely a target due to his high position and prestige within the military as the head of personnel. Therefore, regardless of whether Miao Hua makes any anti-Xi moves, Xi will be suspicious of him simply because of his high position and power,” Mr. Chen said.
“In the most drastic scenario, Miao Hua may be forced to retire, and He Hongjung may replace him at the third plenum session. He Hongjun may even receive additional promotions, from executive deputy director to director of the Political Work Department and then to a member of the CMC.”
CMC Stresses ‘Political Building within the Military’
On July 10, the day after Mr. He’s promotion, the CMC issued a document emphasizing “political training within the military.”The document calls for “deepening military-political education” and considers it a “serious and important political task.” The document stresses the need to “further deepen the rectification of thinking, personnel, organization, work style, and discipline.” In particular, it stresses the need to focus on “high-level Party committees and senior cadres” and calls on cadres to be “loyal.”
Mr. Chen said that these are all words with hidden meanings, and they all mean “punishing people.” In particular, the focus on “high-level Party committees and senior cadres” indicates that those to be punished are high-level officials.
In addition, the document calls for ensuring the “continuous emergence of talents.” According to Mr. Chen, this means cultivating new cadres. He believes that the current notice foreshadows the CMC’s personnel reshuffle at the third plenary.
Mr. Wang explained that Xi has been using the rhetoric of “political building within the military” to purge the military. He believes that there will be a large-scale purge at the third plenary and that Xi may eliminate those cadres who don’t cooperate well with him or are unwilling to accept his ideas.
