Xi Jinping, the leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently signed an order to issue the newly revised “Military Common Regulations.” This revision comes seven years after Xi initially signed a trial version of the “Common Ordinance” in 2018. The latest changes in the regulations have sparked significant speculation about the shifting power dynamics within the Chinese military and political leadership.

Omissions and Emphases in the New Regulations

Compared to reports from seven years ago, the latest report from Xinhua News Agency, the official state-run news agency of China, has made notable omissions and shifts in emphasis. The new report does not mention the “responsibility system of the Chairman of the Military Commission.” Instead, it emphasizes “ruling the army according to law” and requires the military to “listen to the party and follow the party.”

“The report mentioned ‘Xi thought’ and ‘Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the military,’ but did not mention the ‘two safeguards’ and the ‘responsible system of the Chairman of the Military Commission’; instead, it emphasized ‘ruling the military according to law’ and ‘improving the level of the military’s rule of law,’ requiring the army to ‘listen to the party and follow the party.'”

This shift in language and emphasis is significant. In the past, the “responsibility system of the Chairman of the Military Commission” was seen as a symbol of Xi’s control over the military. The omission of this system and the increased focus on legal governance suggest a potential change in Xi’s grip on military power. The language shift also hints at a more democratic or less overtly authoritarian governance style.

Recently, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has been seen as losing some of his support within the military, which could indicate a weakening in a strong grip lessened political influence. These signs are concerning the Communist Party’s top leadership.

The last seven years have seen substantial shifts in China’s political landscape. Xi Jinping’s leadership has been marked by ambitious domestic and international policies, but recent events suggest internal struggles that could affect his ability to maintain control. In the United States, similar power struggles have been observed in past presidential administrations, such as the Nixon Watergate scandal, as well as more modern instances of presidential leadership under scrutiny. Which of these developments in internal governance will the results of this situation in China reflect?

Increasing Public Appearances of Zhang Youxia

The public appearances of Zhang Youxia, the current Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, are noteworthy. Zhang, who previously faced difficulties in the Rocket Force and the Equipment Department, has been more visible in recent months. Increased public appearances can signify shifts in internal politics, particularly among high-ranking officials. Then consider the possibility of reasonable monitoring of Xi Jinping’s leadership within the power adjust his political influence over the army with increased legal obedience.

Editorial Changes in the Military Daily

On the day after Xi signed the “Common Regulations,” the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese military, published an editorial. The editorial mirrors Xinhua’s report, mentioning “Xi thought” and “Xi Jinping’s thought on strengthening the military,” but omits references to the “two safeguards” and the “responsibility system of the Chairman of the Military Commission.”

“The entire editorial of the Military Daily emphasizes ‘governing the military according to law’ and requires ‘the Party committee to make decisions in accordance with the law, the organs guide in accordance with the law, the troops act in accordance with the law, and officers and soldiers perform their duties in accordance with the law.’”
Xi Jinping’s words

Changes in Commentary

The commentary within the PLA Daily highlights another significant shift. Compared to the commentary from seven years ago, the latest articles lack the explicit praise and support for Xi Jinping. This change in tone and content suggests a nuanced shift in how the military leadership perceptions of Xi Jinping may have changed. This shift could be indicative of Xi’s weakened political position.
Whereas previously Xi Jinping was publicly considered the core of leadership within the Chinese Communist Party, a renewed focus on rule of law objections to commands may indicate an scaling back on emphasis on scrutinizing Xi Jinping’s policy making.

Historical Parallels and Implications

It is reminiscent of the political intrigue seen during the Nixon administration in the United States, an emphasis on rule of law may signify an attempt to systematically correct the perceived mistakes in leadership and build a more systematic line of civilian oversight. A crucial move for both administrations would be attempting to mainstream primarily legal-based proposal-making to military responses eying the associated power shifts within the U.S. constituency.

The People’s National Congress (PNC) of the CPC, often referred to as a “rubber stamp,” is nominally the highest authority in China. Personnel changes and political decisions at the highest level of the CPC need to go through the motions at the NPC. Therefore, upcoming Two Sessions of the Communist Party of China are closely intertwined with the internal struggles of the top leaders of the CPC. Chinese government-controlled media outlets have also traditionally played a crucial role in reflecting and influencing public opinion.

Key Takeaways for U.S. Readers

Reflecting on comparable power disputes and media manipulation examples within U.S. history, such as Watergate investigations and accusations of bias in media coverage by administration officials, has parallels to similar scenarios still present within Chinese governance settings. Shifts in how military regulations are described and public commentary emphasized can emphasize subtle regulation changes and internal party dynamics from 2025