Intrigue Unveiled: Unraveling the Secrets Lurking in Xi's China

Editors Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a distinguished columnist on global affairs. She contributes opinions to CNN on a weekly basis, writes as a columnist for The Washington Post, and is also associated with World Politics Review. The following commentary reflects her personal perspective. For additional opinions, please visit CNN.

Is this an aberration from the norm? (Or perhaps not?)

Frida Ghitis

CNN

What is happening in China is baffling. The nation, which has been striving to portray itself as a captivating alternative to Western-style democracy, now resembles the setting of a dark and enigmatic drama, with key figures vanishing into thin air and government officials behaving as if everything is business as usual. However, this state of affairs is far from ordinary. In fact, unexplained disappearances are characteristic of oppressive autocratic regimes.

China's Defense Minister Li Shangfu has recently gone missing from public view, raising questions about his whereabouts. Despite this unusual occurrence, there has been little public criticism, except for the US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, who has taken to social media platforms to humorously comment on the situation. Emanuel likened the situation to Shakespeare's "Hamlet," stating that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark." He also compared President Xi's cabinet to Agatha Christie's novel "And then There Were None," noting the mysterious fate of several high-ranking officials.

The defense minister canceled his scheduled trip to Vietnam earlier this month, citing a "health condition," as informed by Beijing to the hosts.

Another notable figure, China's former foreign minister Qin Gang, also faced "health" issues during the summer when he went out of public view. Qin, a distinguished diplomat who had previously served as China's ambassador to the US, was appointed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the influential role in December. However, after six months, he suddenly disappeared. He was eventually replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi, one month later.

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On March 11, 2023, President Xi Jinping of China participated in the fourth plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The accompanying image is credited to GREG BAKER/Pool via REUTERS.

Greg Baker/Pool/Reuters

Turbulence in Chinas top ranks raises questions about Xi Jinpings rule

Chinese officials later informed that Qi was terminated due to "lifestyle issues," a euphemism for engaging in sexual misconduct. According to The Wall Street Journal, he allegedly had an extramarital affair while in Washington.

However, the significant number of high-ranking dismissals within a brief timeframe implies that this explanation may not fully disclose the complete narrative.

The turbulence extends beyond government ministers. Recently, Beijing dismissed two high-ranking generals responsible for overseeing China's nuclear arsenal in the Rocket Force of the PLA.

The unrest among top officials contradicts Xi's portrayal of stability and confident control during his rule. Xi, who strategically maneuvered to become China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, and one of its most repressive, is consistently presented as an almost infallible leader by state media.

Lis ouster, as reported by multiple sources, is a component of a broader endeavor to eradicate corruption. Prior to this, he held a position in military procurement, a section of the People's Liberation Army known for its corruption issues. Authorities have taken Li into custody for questioning, as stated in The Wall Street Journal's report.

However, it is worth noting that anti-corruption initiatives often serve as a convenient pretext for political crackdowns. In the enigmatic realm of China's regime, where official explanations are scarce, there is much hidden beneath the surface.

Xi's unexplained absence from recent major international events, such as the United Nations General Assembly and the G20 summit, could possibly be attributed to the upheaval and ongoing crackdown in his country. President Joe Biden acknowledged Xi's absence and suggested that he is currently preoccupied with various pressing matters.

Things were not supposed to unfold this way. During the Chinese Communist Party Congress held last year, Xi solidified his position as the strong leader of Beijing. Contrary to the tradition of stepping down after serving two consecutive five-year terms, which had been followed by almost all previous top leaders, Xi was elected for a third term. Prior to this, the legislature had removed presidential term limits, giving him the opportunity to potentially remain in power indefinitely.

Instances of "disappearances" are not unheard of. The regime has previously demonstrated its unwillingness to allow anyone to accumulate excessive power or prominence.

Xi, exhibiting an unsettling and heartless demonstration, forcefully ejected Hu Jintao, his predecessor and formerly China's most influential figure, from the Congress hall. Unperturbed, Xi remained seated alongside Hu, observing the proceedings.

Just two months after Xis rise to power, trouble brewed. His zero-Covid policy, which prolonged lockdown measures even as the rest of the world opened up, proved disastrous. This led to widespread protests and demands for political reform. A sudden and chaotic reopening resulted in overwhelmed hospitals and morgues.

Furthermore, the once-booming economy began to stagnate. The strong economic growth, which some Chinese individuals saw as justification for political repression or at least as a way to tolerate it, slowed down significantly. Youth unemployment soared, to the extent that Rahm Emanuel sarcastically quipped that the unemployment rate among Xis ministers might surpass that of Chinas young population.

In Beijing, a period of tension is prevailing. Autocrats tend to assert their authority when faced with pressure.

The occurrence of "disappearances" is not unprecedented. The regime has repeatedly demonstrated its stance against allowing individuals to attain too much power or prominence. This message has been effectively conveyed to business leaders in the past, resulting in their sudden absence and subsequent return as more cautious and submissive individuals who weigh every word they utter.

Jack Ma, the Chinese equivalent of Jeff Bezos, experienced a similar outcome. This billionaire seemingly disappeared in 2020 and resurfaced almost a year later to retreat into a self-enforced exile, presumably aiming for privacy and seclusion.

Numerous other notable figures in the business world have encountered identical circumstances, highlighting the disparity between conducting business in an authoritarian regime compared to a democratic setting that adheres to the principles of the rule of law and transparency. Furthermore, individuals who voiced opposition to the regime or participated in protests amidst the Covid lockdown have also suffered a similar fate, with some inexplicably disappearing without a trace.

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As the world delves into deciphering the enigmatic nature of China's ruling regime, one can't help but ponder the implications if a similar situation unfolded elsewhere. It is unfathomable to envision that in a nation built on freedom and democracy, the sudden vanishing of defense and foreign ministers would occur without any clarification or account.

However, China persistently presents its system as a superior alternative to Western-style democracy, attempting to conceal its authoritarian nature. When Germany's foreign minister expressed concerns that a Russian victory in Ukraine could serve as a dangerous precedent for dictators like Xi Jinping, China immediately reacted with anger and criticized Germany for categorizing Xi as a dictator. As time progresses, their counterargument appears to be growing progressively feeble.