1. Wei Lingling from the WSJ talked about how LKQ would install his own people, Hu Chunhua and Wang Yang, to become his successor for the premier job. 2. This to people with basic understanding of Chinese politics, means Li overshadowed Xi. 2/
3. None of the 1000+ listeners, including yourself, raised any questions regarding this point, which generated lots of discussions and different views among reporters, scholars, and officials as far as I understand. 3/
4. I raised my personal view that it’s a shame that everyone just trying to be nice to others on twitter to increase their own brand as China experts. 5. You, as a researcher from a prestigious university, didn’t discuss the issue but started to question my hearing. 4/
6. I’m really sorry to see this and I hope there’s some legit discussions about China issues. I’m not here to make friends but to share my thoughts and to listen to others. If you have a good understanding about China, prove it. Stop attack my hearing.
END
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As an expert myself, it's hard to use the word "normal" as we may need to define it first. But Mao believes it is definitely not "rare" in China especially during the pandemic. 1/
In recent years, the Communist Party issued lots of new rules against its members. And to be fair, they are using some of those rules. The punishment against Party officials has been more nuanced than it was thanks to these new rules. 2/
In this case, the people are punished under the internal rules, and that doesn't mean it will be the end of the game. They may get punished again after the CCDI found more evidence that can put other charges against them. So in other words, this could be a preliminary move. 3/
Have said this but happy to put this here again for the record. 1. If one talk to Chinese diplomats, can simply ask and get the info that Le Yucheng had a long time issue with some other senior diplomats. And others have filed all kinds of reports against him, Mao learnt. 1/
2. An indication of his problems at MOFA is that he has been a deputy over the past years while he’s in charge of “daily foreign affair works and can’t get promoted as the executive deputy. It’s not common and in line with the long term allegations against him. 2/
3. China’s foreign policy is not determined by Le, who is merely a deputy minister. There’s XJP, the Politburo member YJC, foreign minister WY and other senior officials from the CFAO. As a deputy, Le’s hands are tight. 3/
It’s very unlikely that things will be changed largely for two reasons:
1. Local government officials attended the meeting, but not the party officials who normally in charge of local eco/fin affairs. It would be extremely hard for the gov heads to lead any meaningful changes.1
2. The issue now is not about eco/fin policies, it’s about covid. Without any changes in covid measures, all these policies have little to do. Eventually, the term “economic activity” is used for a reason: it requires social activities that China doesn’t have.
Ok last point, it’s crazy to see all the rumours surrounding LKQ/XJP including stories from some prestigious papers. Allow me, a China Hand, make the point clear: that’s not true. Why would the big man wants to make any statements when things are not clear?