Absence of China’s top general He Weidong from Politburo study session fuels speculation

SCMP | April 28, 2025, 1:12 a.m. | Original

He Weidong has been missing from a series of key events at which top CMC leaders would generally be present, according to state media information and video. Photo: AFP

One of China’s most senior generals, He Weidong , missed another top political gathering on Friday, adding to speculation about his whereabouts over the past few weeks.

Beijing has not offered an official explanation, but He’s absence is not expected to affect China’s political stability, according to an analyst.

He, the second-ranked vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) and one of the 24 members of the Communist Party’s Politburo, last appeared in public on March 11.

He did not attend a Politburo study session presided over by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, a regular gathering that included Zhang Youxia, the CMC’s first vice-president, according to footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday.

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He has also been missing in recent weeks from a series of key events at which top CMC leaders would generally be present, according to information and footage released by state media.

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