2025-06-05 gemini [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHdfIk3B6Ls) # Elder's Rebuke: Li Ruihuan's Indictment of Xi Jinping's Regime This document details a profound political commentary originating from the YouTube channel "老灯开讲" (Lao Deng Kai Jiang), presenting a purported speech by former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elder Li Ruihuan at an enlarged Politburo Standing Committee meeting. --- ## Concise Summary A purported speech by former CCP elder Li Ruihuan vehemently criticizes Xi Jinping's governance, accusing him of betraying reform and engaging in dictatorial practices. Li meticulously outlines philosophical, economic, political, and diplomatic missteps, asserting they have caused widespread harm to China. His bold defiance, including a demand for Xi's resignation and an investigation into Li Keqiang's death, signals deep internal Party discontent and a potential power struggle. --- ## Detailed Summary The core of this content is the alleged speech by Li Ruihuan, a revered elder of the Chinese Communist Party, delivered at an enlarged Politburo Standing Committee meeting. Li, a self-described "carpenter by trade" who rose through the ranks, asserts his readiness to face any consequence, including death, having already purchased his urn. This opening sets a tone of resolute defiance against what he perceives as severe deviations from the Party's established path. Li Ruihuan systematically presents six critical accusations against Xi Jinping's leadership: 1. **Philosophical Errors:** He argues that "Xi Jinping Thought" is a rigid, dogmatic interpretation of Marxism-Leninism, lacking dialectical flexibility. This approach, he claims, has stifled internal criticism, fostered sycophancy, and led to flawed, disconnected "top-level designs" that ignore real-world conditions and violate Marxist principles of unity of opposites. 2. **Line Errors:** Li condemns Xi's policies for betraying Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening-up by promoting "state advancing, private retreating" (国进民退). He asserts this has resurrected the "ghost of the planned economy," suffocated private enterprises with financial burdens and heavy taxes, leading to widespread bankruptcies, economic stagnation, and a collapse of social confidence. He explicitly states this is "reversing historical progress." 3. **Political Errors:** Li accuses Xi's anti-corruption campaign of being a selective purge to eliminate political rivals rather than a genuine effort to combat graft. He claims that while "non-嫡系" (non-direct lineage) officials are targeted, Xi's loyalists and family members remain untouched, effectively turning anti-corruption into "assassination by borrowed knife" and establishing a "Xi core" dictatorship that has dismantled party oversight. 4. **Economic Mismanagement:** Li highlights administrative overreach that has stifled market vitality. He cites the catastrophic impact on industries like private education, gaming, and real estate, leading to mass unemployment and financial crises. He labels Xi as a "manufacturer of economic disaster" due to arbitrary, unscientific policy decisions that "cut everything with one knife." 5. **Diplomatic Failures:** He criticizes "wolf warrior diplomacy" and "big-spender" (大撒币) foreign aid, arguing they have led to China's international isolation and harmed its national interests. Li points to trade and tech wars with the US and Europe that have crippled Chinese enterprises, while massive foreign aid expenditures contrast sharply with domestic concerns like pension shortfalls. He asserts China has become an "international orphan" and is "destroying its own Great Wall." 6. **Extreme Leftist Restoration:** Li warns of a "resurrection" of "bankrupt Cultural Revolution" tactics, citing the escalating personality cult, thought control (e.g., "Learning Xi Strong Nation" app, mass surveillance), and the severe societal and economic impact of "zero-COVID" lockdowns. He laments the pervasive "red songs and dramas" and forced ideological indoctrination, stating these actions are pushing the country into an abyss. Li Ruihuan then shares his personal disillusionment, recalling his initial favorable impression of Xi due to his father, Xi Zhongxun, but witnessing Xi's increasingly autocratic tendencies, culminating in the constitutional amendment for indefinite rule. He contrasts Xi's "brute force" approach with his own "art of politics" in 1989, where he defused ideological tensions through indirect means (like the "sweeping away pornography and illegal publications" campaign) to maintain stability and protect intellectuals, rather than resorting to purges. He emphasizes that historically, prosperity came from "non-interference" (无为而治), not "over-management." In a stunning direct challenge, Li Ruihuan questions Xi's perceived control over the military, reminding him that "even Chairman Mao in his later years was wary of old marshals and generals." He warns of an inevitable downfall if Xi continues his "family rule" and treats the military as his personal army. The speech concludes with a bold call for Xi Jinping's resignation and a critical demand for a thorough, impartial investigation into the death of Li Keqiang, emphasizing the need to prevent "assassination" from becoming an internal Party precedent. He urges the upcoming Fourth Plenum to address fundamental "line issues," return to Deng Xiaoping's reform path, liberalize speech, restore diplomatic relations, and reinvigorate market vitality, providing hope to the populace. The accompanying commentary frames Li Ruihuan's speech as a "soul reckoning" and a "final warning" from an old Party member against the collapse of political civilization. It highlights the context of a "tense" atmosphere in Beijing, with unconfirmed reports of a recent enlarged Politburo Standing Committee meeting discussing personnel changes and a potential power struggle. These reports cite unusual behaviors like Xi's unexplained multi-day absence during the meeting and a series of high-level personnel reassignments in critical sectors (finance, public security) and regions historically significant to Xi, all orchestrated by "Party elders." This suggests a significant weakening of Xi's authority and a possible shift towards collective leadership, with a formal announcement potentially anticipated at the Fourth Plenum. --- ## Nested Outline - **I. Introduction to Li Ruihuan's Purported Address** - A. Context: Enlarged Politburo Standing Committee Meeting - B. Speaker's Personal Stance and Resolve - 1. Self-description: "Carpenter by trade," "low culture" - 2. Motivation: Decades of pent-up frustration - 3. Fearlessness: "Bone ash box already bought," "not afraid of death" - 4. Goal: "Pull the emperor off his horse," speak truth - C. Critical Framework: Standing on "dialectical materialism" to critique Xi Jinping Thought - **II. Li Ruihuan's Six Major Criticisms of Xi Jinping's Rule** - A. **Philosophical Errors** - 1. Critique: Stiff dogma, lack of dialectical spirit - 2. Result: "Absolute loyalty" suppresses criticism, becomes flattery - 3. Consequence: "Blind men touching an elephant" decision-making, "closed-door" top-level design, detached from reality and masses - 4. Violation: Core Marxist principle of unity of opposites - B. **Line Errors** - 1. Betrayal: Abandonment of reform and opening up - 2. Policy: Revival of "planned economy ghost," "state advancing, private retreating" - 3. Impact: Private enterprises struggle (financing, taxes), SMEs collapse, social confidence crumbles, economic lifeline choked - 4. Verdict: "Reversing historical progress," "burning" Deng Xiaoping's legacy - C. **Political Errors** - 1. Anti-Corruption Critique: "Selective anti-corruption," "cleansing dissidents" - 2. Method: "Assassination by borrowed knife," not genuine anti-corruption - 3. Outcome: Destruction of Party internal supervision, "Xi core" dictatorship - D. **Economic Blunders** - 1. Leadership Style: "Blind指挥" (blindly commanding), "waving administrative sticks" - 2. Policy Impact:扼杀市场活力 (stifling market vitality) - 3. Industry Devastation: Education, gaming, real estate industries decimated - 4. Social Fallout: Millions of teachers laid off, real estate chain explosions, mortgage defaults, bad debts - 5. Conclusion: "Manufacturer of economic disaster" - E. **Diplomatic Missteps** - 1. Approach: "Wolf warrior diplomacy," "reckless" foreign spending ("big-spender strategy") - 2. Outcome: "四面楚歌" (besieged on all sides) - 3. Specifics: Trade/tech wars with US/Europe (Chinese firms "bleeding profusely"), billions wasted on poor countries (domestic pensions neglected), entangled in Russia-Ukraine war (China becomes "international orphan") - 4. Verdict: "Self-destruction of the Great Wall" - F. **Extreme Leftist Restoration** - 1. Trend: "Bankrupt Cultural Revolution" resurgence, personal cult, thought control escalating - 2. Examples: Forced "Learning Xi Strong Nation," mass surveillance, "zero-COVID" lockdowns (leading to "民不聊生" - people unable to live) - 3. Cultural Impact: "Red songs and dramas" rampant, forced child indoctrination - 4. Consequence: "Pushing the entire country into an abyss" - **III. Personal Reflections and Warnings** - A. Relationship with Xi Jinping: Old friend of Xi Zhongxun, initial positive impression of Xi - B. Disillusionment: Xi's increasing deviations, especially constitutional amendment for re-election (another dictator, China going backward) - C. Contrast in Governance Philosophy (Li's experience vs. Xi's) - 1. 1989 Ideological Crisis: Managed with "sweeping away pornography and illegal publications" (政治的艺术 - art of politics), protecting intellectuals - 2. Xi's Approach: "蛮干" (reckless force), "一刀切" (one-size-fits-all), blocking all avenues - 3. Historical Lesson: Prosperity comes from "无为而治" (governing by non-interference), not over-management - D. Warning to Xi Jinping - 1. Future Confrontation: "Sooner or later you'll meet a tough opponent" - 2. Challenge to Authority: "Even Chairman Mao was wary of old marshals... who are you?" - 3. Critique of Military Control: "Family rule," treating army as "Xi's army" - 4. Prophecy: "Sooner or later you'll fall hard," current situation is "現世報应" (retribution) - **IV. Demands for Immediate Action and Future Direction** - A. Call for Xi Jinping's Resignation - B. Investigation into Li Keqiang's Death - 1. Demand: Must be thoroughly investigated, no cover-up - 2. Principle: Cannot allow "assassination" to become a Party precedent - 3. Accountability: Legal responsibility for perpetrators - C. Fourth Plenum Imperatives - 1. Key Focus: Resolve "line problem," not just personnel changes - 2. New Resolution: Summarize 13 years of lessons, assign responsibility - 3. Path Forward: Return to reform and opening up - 4. Specific Policies: Liberate thought, relax speech, repair diplomacy, restore market vitality, give people hope - 5. Guiding Principle: Abandon "struggle first," return to "韬光养晦" (bide time), revert to Deng Xiaoping's line - D. Li Ruihuan's Final Statement: "It was worth it," willingness to send more letters - **V. Commentary and Analysis on the Speech's Significance** - A. Unprecedented Act: Standing out in an atmosphere of silence and repression - B. Speaker's Weight: Former CCP Politburo Standing Committee member, "N.4 figure" - C. Nature of Critique: Not emotional venting, but systematic, clear accusations - D. Symbolism: "With death as light," loyalty to Party's true principles - E. Deeper Meaning: "Soul reckoning" of an old Party member, "historical lament," "last warning" against political decay - F. Underlying Message: Defending institutional norms, common sense, reform, and the people - **VI. Current High-Level CCP Dynamics and Power Struggle (Unconfirmed Reports)** - A. Alleged Politburo Standing Committee Enlarged Meeting (Mid-May) - 1. Purpose: Discussing Fourth Plenum, major Politburo reshuffle - 2. Significance: "Unusual," called for special needs (political line or major personnel) - B. Xi Jinping's Unusual Absence/Behavior - 1. Post-Meeting: Sudden, silent local inspection (Luoyang, Zhengzhou), "extremely rare" - 2. Implications: Possible loss of authority, not participating/interfering in personnel - C. Tense Atmosphere in Beijing - 1. Security: "Substantial quasi-martial law" around Zhongnanhai - 2. Party Leadership: Entire Standing Committee not appearing collectively, no collective statements - D. Recent Provincial/Ministerial Personnel Appointments (Mid-May) - 1. **Liu Guiping (Tianjin Deputy Secretary):** Wang Qishan's former subordinate, financial background, direct Central Organization Dept. appointment - Meaning: Tianjin controlled by non-Xi faction, personnel power taken by elders - Potential Target: Chen Min'er (Tianjin Party Secretary, Xi loyalist) - 2. **Wei Jianfeng (Hunan Discipline Inspection Secretary):** Not Xi's person, "Shaanxi gang," appointed by elders for monitoring - 3. **Hu Dapeng (Yunnan Provincial Standing Committee - Political & Legal Affairs):** From Public Security Ministry, direct central arrangement, control of "knife handle" - 4. **Ge Haijiao (Shanxi Governor):** Financial veteran, "elder faction" trusted, appointed to replace investigated official - Implication: Return of financial "princelings" agents, Xi losing personnel dominance - 5. **Liu Fei (Zhejiang Standing Committee, Hangzhou Secretary):** Technical bureaucrat, complex background, appointed to Xi's "governance roots" and "習家軍" (Xi's army) growth incubator - Significance: Moving on Xi's core territory, signals "full division" of Xi's power - 6. **Zhang Yongning (Fujian Ningde Leader):** Fujian local, previously disciplined under Xi/Li Keqiang's order, re-appointed - Symbolism: Precision political signal, replacing Xi's people or rehabilitating those Xi punished - 7. Overall Pattern: New map covering "red strongholds," financial lifelines, "knife handles," provincial centers - E. Decline in Xi's Public Prominence - 1. Weibo Hot Searches: Xi's activities no longer consistently top-ranked, news buried - 2. Interpretation: "Main melody hot search power cut," "variant of blocking Xi Jinping" - F. Rumors of Xi Losing Power - 1. Military: Zhang Youxia controlling military (supported by elders/red second generation), He Weidong absent from key military event - 2. Civilian Power: Political elders truly control Party and government - 3. International Confirmation: US National Security Advisor Sullivan met Zhang Youxia directly - G. Re-emergence of Political Elders - 1. National Day Reception: Collective appearance, names announced, Wen Jiabao & Li Ruihuan seated next to Xi - 2. Shift from Soft Detention: Elders' restrictions lifted, gained significant voice - 3. Causation: Xi's political, economic, diplomatic crises; "major incident" at last year's Third Plenum - H. Conclusion: Xi's power greatly weakened, return to collective leadership, awaiting official announcement of his resignation at Fourth Plenum - **VII. Final Remarks** - A. Disclaimer: "Front-line command change is military taboo" during US-China tariff war - B. Foreshadowing: Xi "can still sit for a while" - C. Closing Message: "Public opinion is truth, public sentiment is power." --- ## Thematic and Symbolic Insight Map a) Genius – What shows creative brilliance or elegant thought? The purported use of "dialectical materialism" as a weapon against Xi Jinping's policies demonstrates intellectual sophistication and a deep understanding of Party ideology, turning Xi's own supposed philosophical foundation against him. Li Ruihuan's recounted strategy of using "sweeping away pornography and illegal publications" (扫黄打非) in 1989 to avert a full-blown political purge while simultaneously addressing ideological concerns is a brilliant example of political maneuvering, highlighting nuanced statecraft over brute force. b) Interesting – What holds attention, novelty, or tension? The sheer boldness and apparent death-defiance of Li Ruihuan's opening statement ("My bone ash box is already bought...") immediately grabs attention. The notion of a high-ranking elder from within the opaque CCP system delivering such a systematic and scathing indictment of the paramount leader creates immense tension. The accompanying unconfirmed reports of Xi Jinping's unusual public absence during a critical meeting and the widespread personnel changes, all hinting at a silent, high-stakes power struggle, add a layer of gripping intrigue. c) Significant – Why does this matter? What's its wider impact? This content, if reflective of reality, signifies deep-seated and organized dissent at the highest levels of the CCP, challenging Xi Jinping's perceived unassailable authority. It suggests a potential crisis of governance and ideological direction within China's ruling party. The wider impact could be a fundamental recalibration of China's domestic policies (e.g., renewed focus on market reforms) and foreign relations (e.g., less "wolf warrior" diplomacy), potentially leading to a less volatile and more predictable global player, or conversely, an intensification of internal strife with unpredictable outcomes. The demand for an investigation into Li Keqiang's death, if pursued, would represent an unprecedented internal reckoning with far-reaching consequences. d) Surprising – What defies expectation or flips assumptions? The most surprising aspect is the directness and accusatory tone of the purported speech coming from a CCP elder against the current leader. The system is known for its rigid hierarchy and suppression of open dissent. The blunt challenge to Xi's military authority ("Even Chairman Mao... who are you?") is particularly astonishing. Furthermore, the alleged orchestration of high-level personnel changes by "Party elders" to undermine Xi's power base, including in his political strongholds (Zhejiang, Fujian) and critical sectors (finance, public security), fundamentally challenges the assumption of Xi's unchallenged control over Party appointments. e) Paradoxical – Where are the contradictions or tensions? A key paradox is the Party's demand for "absolute loyalty" under Xi, which Li argues has led to organizational dysfunction and "blind" decision-making, ultimately undermining the Party's own stated goals. The "anti-corruption" campaign is presented as another paradox: ostensibly to cleanse the Party, it has allegedly been used to consolidate personal power by eliminating rivals, thus potentially fostering an environment for even greater unchecked corruption under a dictatorial "Xi core." The "wolf warrior diplomacy," intended to project strength, has paradoxically resulted in international isolation and self-inflicted strategic wounds. f) Key Insight – What’s the deepest idea or realization here? The deepest insight is that the Chinese Communist Party is undergoing a profound internal ideological and power struggle, viewed by some veteran insiders as a battle for its very survival. The core realization is that Xi Jinping's governance model, characterized by excessive centralization, ideological rigidity, and administrative overreach, is perceived as a dangerous deviation from the pragmatic, collective leadership principles that historically ensured the Party's resilience and China's development. The elders' apparent move to reclaim influence reflects a belief that Xi's path jeopardizes the fundamental stability and future of the Party and nation. g) Takeaway Message – What should the viewer remember or do? The primary takeaway is that despite outward appearances, Xi Jinping's grip on power is not absolute and faces significant internal resistance, potentially leading to major political shifts in China. Viewers should recognize that the CCP is not monolithic and that powerful factions or individuals may be working to steer its course away from current trajectories. The call for a return to Deng Xiaoping's line signals a potential shift towards more economic liberalization and cautious foreign policy. **h) Duality – What binary or opposing forces are in play?** - **Reform and Opening Up (改革开放) vs. Extreme Leftist Retrogression (极左复辟):** The core ideological and policy battle. - **Collective Leadership (集体领导) vs. Personal Dictatorship (个人独裁):** The struggle over the Party's governance structure. - **Pragmatism/Political Art (政治艺术) vs. Brute Force/Dogmatism (蛮干/教条):** Contrasting approaches to governance. - **Market Vitality (市场活力) vs. State Control (行政干预):** The economic policy dilemma. - **International Engagement (国际合作) vs. Isolation/Confrontation (战狼外交/四面楚歌):** The strategic choice in foreign policy. - **Truth/Reality (真话/实际) vs. Dogma/Flattery (假马列/拍马屁):** The tension in ideological discourse. i) Highest Perspective From the highest perspective, this content reveals a critical juncture in the historical trajectory of the Chinese Communist Party and, by extension, China itself. It's a deep-seated battle between two opposing philosophies of governance and development within a highly centralized, authoritarian system. On one side stands Xi Jinping's vision of a strong, ideologically purified, centralized state with a assertive global posture. On the other, as represented by Li Ruihuan, is a call to return to the pragmatic, adaptive, and comparatively less ideologically dogmatic path of Deng Xiaoping, emphasizing economic development, collective leadership, and strategic patience. The purported actions of the elders and the mounting internal pressures suggest that the Party's foundational compact – stability and prosperity in exchange for political control – is under severe strain, pushing the system towards a potentially transformative moment with global ramifications. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ### grok # Li Ruihuan’s Scathing Critique of Xi Jinping at the CCP Politburo Expanded Meeting: A Call for Reform and Accountability ### Concise Summary Li Ruihuan, a CCP elder, delivers a fiery speech at an expanded Politburo meeting, accusing Xi Jinping of philosophical, political, and economic missteps that have led China toward crisis. He criticizes Xi’s authoritarianism, selective anti-corruption campaigns, and disastrous economic policies, urging a return to Deng Xiaoping’s reformist path. Ruihuan demands Xi’s resignation and an investigation into the death of Li Keqiang, signaling deep factional tensions within the CCP. ### Detailed Summary Li Ruihuan, a retired CCP elder and former Politburo Standing Committee member, opens his speech with a personal reflection, noting his sleepless night and lifelong journey from a carpenter to a high-ranking official. His tone is both nostalgic and resolute, emphasizing his readiness to speak truth to power despite potential repercussions, famously declaring he has “already bought his urn” and fears no retaliation. Ruihuan frames his critique as a defense of Marxist principles and the CCP’s legacy, positioning himself as a loyalist seeking to save the party from Xi Jinping’s leadership. Ruihuan organizes his critique into six major accusations against Xi’s governance. First, he attacks Xi’s philosophy as a betrayal of dialectical materialism, accusing him of replacing criticism and self-criticism with sycophancy and blind loyalty, leading to detached, ineffective policymaking. Second, he condemns Xi’s economic policies for reversing Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, reviving planned economy practices, and strangling private enterprises, which has caused widespread business failures and eroded public confidence. Third, Ruihuan labels Xi’s anti-corruption campaign as a sham, selectively targeting rivals while shielding loyalists, thus fostering a dictatorship under the guise of reform. Fourth, he details Xi’s economic mismanagement, citing the collapse of industries like education, gaming, and real estate due to abrupt, poorly planned policies that have led to mass layoffs and financial crises. Fifth, Ruihuan criticizes Xi’s “wolf warrior” diplomacy and wasteful foreign aid, which have isolated China internationally and strained its economy. Sixth, he warns of a return to Cultural Revolution-era tactics, with excessive ideological control, mass surveillance, and policies like zero-COVID causing societal and economic stagnation. Ruihuan’s tone shifts to personal disappointment when discussing Xi’s father, Xi Zhongxun, a respected comrade, contrasting his initial hope in Xi with his current view of him as a dictator. He recounts his own tenure managing ideology post-1989, where he avoided heavy-handed purges through pragmatic measures like anti-pornography campaigns, contrasting this with Xi’s blunt, destructive policies. Ruihuan’s call for Xi’s resignation is paired with a demand for an investigation into former Premier Li Keqiang’s death, suggesting foul play and warning against normalizing such acts within the party. He concludes by urging the upcoming Fourth Plenum to shift the CCP back to reformist policies, restore free speech, and revive market vitality. The transcript also includes commentary framing Ruihuan’s speech as a historic moment, reflecting deep factional strife within the CCP. It notes unusual political signals, such as Xi’s prolonged absence from public view and personnel changes favoring non-Xi factions, suggesting a power struggle ahead of the Fourth Plenum. The narrative paints a picture of a CCP on the brink, with elders like Ruihuan attempting to reclaim influence amid economic, diplomatic, and political crises exacerbated by Xi’s leadership. ### Nested Outline - **Li Ruihuan’s Speech at the Politburo Expanded Meeting** - **Introduction: Personal Context and Resolve** - Reflects on his humble origins as a carpenter - Mentions sleepless night and prepared remarks - Declares fearlessness: “I’ve bought my urn” - **Core Critique: Six Major Accusations Against Xi Jinping** - **Philosophical Errors** - Accuses Xi of betraying Marxist dialectics - Criticizes “absolute loyalty” as stifling criticism - Policies lack grounding in reality, like “blind men touching an elephant” - **Route Errors** - Reversal of Deng’s reforms, reviving planned economy - “State advances, private retreats” policy crushes private sector - Economic collapse: business closures, loss of public confidence - **Political Errors** - Anti-corruption campaign as selective purge of rivals - Protects loyalists, ignores family corruption - Creates dictatorship under “Xi core” framework - **Economic Missteps** - Abrupt policies destroy education, gaming, real estate sectors - Mass layoffs, bad debts, and economic stagnation - Lacks scientific basis, driven by “blind meddling” - **Diplomatic Failures** - “Wolf warrior” diplomacy isolates China - Wasteful foreign aid strains domestic resources - Support for Russia in Ukraine war backfires - **Extreme Leftist Revival** - Resurgence of Cultural Revolution tactics: surveillance, propaganda - Zero-COVID policy cripples society and economy - Ideological control alienates modern China - **Personal Disappointment and Historical Context** - Recalls friendship with Xi Zhongxun, initial support for Xi - Disillusionment after Xi’s constitutional amendment for indefinite rule - Contrasts his pragmatic 1989 ideology management with Xi’s heavy-handedness - **Call to Action** - Demands Xi’s resignation - Urges investigation into Li Keqiang’s death - Advocates for Fourth Plenum to restore reformist policies - **Broader Political Context** - **CCP Internal Dynamics** - Expanded Politburo meeting signals factional tensions - Xi’s absence and personnel changes suggest power shift - **Recent Developments** - Non-Xi faction appointments in key regions (Tianjin, Hunan, Yunnan) - Military control shifting to Zhang Youxia - Political elders regaining influence post-Third Plenum - **Speculation on Fourth Plenum** - Likely focus on leadership and policy changes - Potential ousting of Xi or major course correction ### Thematic and Symbolic Insight Map - **a) Genius**: Ruihuan’s speech is a masterclass in rhetorical strategy, blending Marxist critique with visceral imagery (e.g., “blind men touching an elephant”) to expose Xi’s failures while appealing to CCP orthodoxy. His use of historical references, like Deng Xiaoping and his own 1989 tactics, showcases political acumen in navigating factional disputes without alienating the party’s core ideology. - **b) Interesting**: The speech’s raw emotion and Ruihuan’s willingness to confront Xi directly, despite his age and retired status, create a gripping narrative of defiance. The unverified claims of Xi’s absence and personnel shifts add intrigue, hinting at a high-stakes power struggle within the CCP’s opaque hierarchy. - **c) Significant**: If authentic, the speech signals a rare public fracture in the CCP’s elite, potentially foreshadowing a shift away from Xi’s centralized rule. Its wider impact lies in challenging the narrative of Xi’s unassailable power, possibly emboldening dissent and influencing global perceptions of China’s stability. - **d) Surprising**: Ruihuan’s bold call for Xi’s resignation and an investigation into Li Keqiang’s death defies the CCP’s culture of silence, especially from a retired elder. The suggestion that Xi has lost control over military and party appointments upends assumptions of his absolute authority. - **e) Paradoxical**: Ruihuan criticizes Xi for betraying Marxism while using Marxist rhetoric to frame his argument, highlighting the tension between ideological purity and practical governance. Xi’s anti-corruption campaign, meant to strengthen his rule, is portrayed as a tool that weakens party unity by alienating factions. - **f) Key Insight**: The deepest realization is that Xi’s consolidation of power has paradoxically weakened the CCP by alienating its base, stifling innovation, and inviting external pressure, necessitating a return to collective leadership to restore stability. - **g) Takeaway Message**: Viewers should recognize the fragility of authoritarian systems when personal loyalty overshadows institutional resilience, and the need for open critique to prevent catastrophic missteps. - **h) Duality**: The speech pits individual dictatorship (Xi’s rule) against collective leadership (Deng’s legacy), and ideological rigidity versus pragmatic reform, framing China’s future as a choice between stagnation and revival. - **i) Highest Perspective**: From a global vantage point, Ruihuan’s speech reflects a universal struggle in authoritarian systems: balancing control with adaptability. It underscores that no leader, however powerful, can indefinitely suppress dissent or economic realities without risking systemic collapse. ### Summary Table View | **Aspect** | **Core Critique** | **Symbolic Weight** | **Implications** | | | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --- | --- | | **Philosophical Errors** | Xi’s “thought” lacks dialectical rigor, enforces loyalty over critique | “Blind men touching an elephant” – detached leadership | Undermines CCP’s ideological legitimacy, risks policy failures | | | | **Route Errors** | Reversal of reforms, state over private sector | “Opening history in reverse” – betrayal of Deng | Economic stagnation, loss of public confidence | | | | **Political Errors** | Selective anti-corruption as power grab | “Borrowing a knife to kill” – factional purge | Weakens party unity, fosters dictatorship | | | | **Economic Missteps** | Abrupt policies destroy industries (education, gaming, real estate) | “One-size-fits-all” – reckless governance | Mass layoffs, financial crises, eroded market vitality | | | | **Diplomatic Failures** | Wolf warrior diplomacy, wasteful aid isolate China | “Self-destroying the Great Wall” – isolation | International alienation, economic strain from tariffs and sanctions | | | | **Extreme Leftist Revival** | Cultural Revolution tactics (surveillance, propaganda) resurge | “Pushing nation to the abyss” – ideological decay | Societal unrest, economic paralysis from zero-COVID and control measures | | | | **Personal Disappointment** | Xi’s shift from reformist hope to dictator disillusioned Ruihuan | “Another dictator born” – fall from grace | Signals elite dissent, challenges Xi’s narrative of invincibility | | | | **Call to Action** | Demands Xi’s resignation, Li Keqiang investigation, reformist revival | “Urn bought” – fearless truth-telling | Potential catalyst for leadership change, factional realignment | | | | **CCP Dynamics** | Xi’s absence, non-Xi faction appointments signal power shift | “Red wall sealed” – secretive power struggle | Possible return to collective leadership, Fourth Plenum as turning point | | | | **Global Context** | Speech reflects authoritarian fragility amid tariff wars, economic crises | “Historical warning bell” – systemic collapse risk | Impacts global perceptions of China’s stability, influences trade negotiations | | | ### Notes on Authenticity The speech’s authenticity is uncertain, as it aligns with unverified rumors on X about Xi’s weakening grip on power (e.g.,,). While Ruihuan’s critique is plausible given his reformist background and historical role, the lack of official corroboration and the dramatic tone suggest it may be amplified for effect. The broader context of CCP factionalism and personnel changes is consistent with some web reports (e.g.,), but claims about Xi’s ousting or military control shifts remain speculative.[](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/five-takeaways-from-beijings-largest-annual-political-meetings/) --- --- --- --- --- --- ---