高层权斗 · Full chronicle and history

Yin Ke, a former insider now living in Australia, posted at 4:40 a.m. Eastern Time on August 26, revealing that Cai Qi has been subject to a written inquiry.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), appeared at a cultural and artistic performance marking the 105th anniversary of the Party's founding after 12 days of disappearance; Hu Liren pointed to his awkward expression and the tight security at the venue, speculating that he may have been placed under Xi Jinping's control and subjected to an investigation.

Xinhua News Agency issued an appointment and removal notice; Cai Qi concurrently serves as president of the National Academy of Governance. Hu Liren believes this is a signal that Xi Jinping is weakening Cai Qi's power.

After accompanying Xi Jinping to receive Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing, Cai Qi has successively missed important diplomatic events such as receiving Cambodia's Hun Sen and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, triggering external speculation that he has gone missing or lost power.

At the end of June 2026, the official website of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission updated its leadership list. Cai Zhaohui, former Vice Governor of Hainan Province and Director of the Provincial Public Security Department, was appointed as the full-time Director of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (at the deputy ministerial level). This is interpreted as a signal that political and legal power is being reclaimed from Chen Wenqing and Wang Xiaohong.

Reports indicate that Xia Linmao, Vice Mayor of Beijing and former Party Secretary of Daxing District, has been investigated and removed from office, drawing outside attention to the movements of the Cai Qi faction.

Cai Huabo has sold the majority of his shares in Taihe Holdings, a move seen as a step toward asset concealment and withdrawal.

As Next Magazine began tracking his whereabouts and launching an investigation, Cai Huabo suddenly resigned from his top position at Taiho Holdings.