The Chinese Communist Party has started its annual closed-door retreat in the coastal resort of Beidaihe, a gathering that fuels speculation regarding power struggles among the party’s senior leaders, according to reports.
While Beijing does not officially confirm the meeting, the appearance of Cai Qi, chief of staff and close aide to President Xi Jinping, in Beidaihe has suggested the gathering is underway. Cai met with researchers on Monday.
Located in Hebei province, north of Beijing, Beidaihe has historically been a backdrop for informal discussions among current and former leaders. Analyst Neil Thomas from the Asia Society Policy Institute noted that the retreat has historically allowed for informal negotiations on policy matters and appointments.
However, with increasing power concentration within the party and Xi’s leadership, the opportunity for authentic negotiations has diminished, Thomas argued.
Secret Meetings of Chinese Leaders for 23 Years
Since 2003, China has not reported officially on these high-level meetings at the coastal city, about an hour and a half east of Beijing by high-speed train. The practice of organizing summer collective work sessions was officially abolished that year.
Despite this, state media has indicated that summer visits to Beidaihe by current and retired high-ranking officials continue, facilitating informal contacts. The retreats at this Chinese resort are often likened to U.S. presidents’ gatherings at Camp David or meetings hosted at Russia’s Sochi.
State-managed guesthouses in Beidaihe, along with enhanced security measures each summer and proximity to Beijing, have long made the area a focal point for political speculation regarding China’s leadership.
Road closures, restrictions on aircraft and private boats—including drones, paragliders, jet skis, and high-speed motorboats—along with a typical two-week pause in official reports about the activities of top leaders only intensify these speculations.
Last seen in public on Friday during a Politburo group session focused on modernizing the Chinese military, Xi’s absence from the public eye adds to the mystery.
Ruby Osman, a senior policy advisor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, remarked that the retreat often marks the “season of rumors” in China. She noted, “The silence of leaders fuels speculation about internal power struggles or even palace coups.”
However, experts maintain that there is little public evidence to suggest that these speculations truly indicate active divisions within the leadership or challenges to Xi’s authority.
In the coming weeks, more concrete issues are likely to dominate the party’s agenda: preparations for the Communist Party’s large meeting in October, internal disciplinary measures, management of appointments, and rising internal economic pressures.
