Wanjun Xie@xie_wanjun
The Economist: Cai Qi may be the second most powerful person in China today. If Xi Jinping were to suddenly die tomorrow without a successor, who would take over the top position? Cai Qi seems to be the answer.
Cai Qi is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and concurrently serves as the Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. The General Office is the brain and nerve center of the entire CPC; Xi Jinping's schedule, document review, confidential communications, and intelligence gathering all pass through Cai Qi's hands. Furthermore, Cai Qi also commands the Central Security Bureau. Therefore, the life, death, and freedom of all current and former high-ranking CPC officials, including Xi Jinping, are in Cai Qi's hands.
Xi Jinping at present is like Emperor Yang of Sui in Jiangdu (the Southern Song Dynasty). The whole country has rebelled, except for the 100,000 imperial guards led by Yuwen Huaji who were still protecting him. However, in the end, Yuwen Huaji and his 100,000 imperial guards also rebelled and hanged Emperor Yang. Cai Qi at present is like Yuwen Huaji at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Cai Qi still commands tens of thousands of imperial guards in the Central Security Bureau, but whether Cai Qi will rebel at the last moment and eliminate Xi Jinping remains to be seen.
