China's political elite caught in secret info market and power tussle

Chinese state media have revealed a covert “black‑grey” market in which party insiders sell advance notice of officials’ promotions or upcoming investigations. Self‑media accounts on platforms such as WeChat publish résumés and cryptic cues that often precede official anti‑corruption announcements, profiting from subscription fees paid by groups to access the information. Examples include a July 2025 post about former Hubei CPPCC vice‑chair Zhou Xianwang that was followed two days later by a Central Commission for Discipline Inspection notice of his investigation, and similar schemes involving short‑video accounts.

In a related power struggle, former Central Military Commission vice‑chair Zhang Youxia and member Liu Zhenli were announced “fallen” in January 2026. Unconfirmed reports claim Zhang, under pressure after threats to his son, admitted he tried to force President Xi Jinping to relinquish power, with former vice‑premier Wang Qishan allegedly playing a behind‑the‑scenes role. The narrative suggests a faction of veteran officials was mobilising against Xi, while the anti‑corruption campaign targets both the insider‑info network and high‑ranking military figures.