Reading the tree leaves: Why a no-show by China’s No.2 general has speculation running wild

CNN - Apr 5th, 2025
Open on CNN

General He Weidong, the second-highest-ranking officer in China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), was notably absent from an annual tree-planting event, a tradition involving the country's military leadership for over four decades. His absence has sparked speculation about a possible investigation or purge within the military ranks, as He has not been seen publicly for three weeks. This event has drawn attention amid ongoing military reshuffles under President Xi Jinping, who has been known for consolidating power and purging disloyal or corrupt military officials.

The context of He's disappearance ties into broader themes of political maneuvering and centralization of power under Xi Jinping's leadership. Xi has been purging high-ranking military officials to maintain loyalty and combat corruption, yet the continued reshuffles suggest persisting systemic issues. The absence of a high-profile figure like He could indicate deeper unrest within the PLA, potentially impacting China’s military readiness and geopolitical posture, especially with recent exercises around Taiwan. This incident highlights the opaque nature of Chinese politics and the symbolic significance of leadership appearances at state events.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed and timely account of Gen. He Weidong's absence from a significant military event, set against the backdrop of political purges under Xi Jinping. It effectively engages readers by exploring themes of power dynamics, military readiness, and political loyalty, which are relevant to contemporary geopolitical discussions. The story's clarity and readability are strong, with a well-structured narrative and accessible language. However, the reliance on speculation and the lack of direct confirmation from authoritative sources affect the accuracy and source quality. The article presents a primarily single narrative, with limited exploration of alternative perspectives, impacting the balance. Overall, the story offers valuable insights into a complex political situation, but its influence on public opinion and policy actions is constrained by the speculative nature of some claims.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents a detailed account of Gen. He Weidong's absence from a significant military event, which aligns with the ongoing speculation about purges within the Chinese military. The factual claims regarding He's past career and relationship with Xi Jinping are generally consistent with known historical records. However, the story lacks direct confirmation from Chinese authorities about He's current status, relying instead on speculation and indirect sources. The absence of official statements on He's investigation or potential purge leaves some claims unverifiable, which affects the overall accuracy. The article accurately describes the symbolic importance of his absence and the historical context of military purges under Xi Jinping, but the lack of concrete evidence about He's situation is a notable gap.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents a single narrative focused on the potential implications of Gen. He Weidong's absence, emphasizing the theme of political purges under Xi Jinping. While it includes expert opinions that provide some depth, it does not sufficiently explore alternative explanations for He's absence, such as personal reasons or other non-political factors. The story could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including viewpoints from Chinese officials or other experts who might offer differing interpretations of the events. The reliance on speculation without counterbalancing perspectives slightly skews the narrative towards a particular conclusion.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the narrative of Gen. He Weidong's absence and its potential implications. The language is precise, and the logical flow helps readers understand the significance of the events described. The use of expert opinions and historical context adds depth to the story, making it accessible to a general audience. However, the reliance on speculation without clear distinctions between verified facts and conjecture could be confusing for some readers. Overall, the clarity is strong, but a more explicit delineation of speculation versus fact would enhance comprehension.

5
Source quality

The article relies on a mix of expert opinions and historical context but lacks direct citations from authoritative sources within the Chinese government or military. The absence of official statements or documents supporting the claims about He's status and the broader implications of military purges limits the source quality. While the experts quoted are credible, the story would be strengthened by including more diverse sources, such as Chinese media or official government releases, to corroborate the claims made. The reliance on speculation and indirect sources affects the overall reliability of the information presented.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context about the historical significance of the tree-planting event and the ongoing military purges under Xi Jinping. However, it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to gather information, particularly regarding the rumors and speculation about Gen. He Weidong's status. The story would benefit from a clearer explanation of how the information was obtained and the sources' potential biases. The lack of disclosure about the limitations of the available information and the speculative nature of some claims impacts the transparency of the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/25/senior-chinese-gen-weidong-disappears-latest-high-level-political/
  2. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/chinese-army-top-officials-arrested-xi-jinping-military-purge-2695008-2025-03-18
  3. https://www.theepochtimes.com/china/china-keeps-silent-as-speculation-grows-over-fate-of-no-3-military-official-5832540
  4. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3294320/top-chinese-general-pledges-strict-crackdown-military-corruption-2025
  5. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/04/01/2003834444