Chapter 43: Reassessing Wang Yang: The Most Promising Candidate for General Secretary, Hopes Rest on Wang Yang

Wang Yang (1955– ), a native of Suzhou, Anhui Province.

I. Hu Jintao Wanted to See Whether Wang Yang Was Included

When Hu Jintao was forcibly escorted off the presidium by Xi Jinping, his purpose was to look at Xi Jinping’s list of Politburo Standing Committee members, which Xi tightly held and refused to release.

What Hu Jintao wanted to see was whether Wang Yang and Li Keqiang were included. Both enjoyed strong popular support, and both were 67 years old—fully meeting the criteria for succession. The reason Xi Jinping refused to let go of the list was precisely because neither of them was included.

Had Hu Jintao seen that they were excluded, he would certainly have questioned, “Why are they not included?” This would have led to a direct confrontation with Xi Jinping. Anticipating that he would be unable to manage the situation, Xi Jinping resorted to the power in his hands and ordered Hu Jintao to be removed from the stage.

II. “Wake Up, Tongling”

Wang Yang began his career as a grassroots Communist Youth League branch secretary. Toward the end of the Cultural Revolution, he served as an instructor at a May Seventh Cadre School. At the age of 35, he became mayor of Tongling City.

He carried out sweeping reforms of the old system, decisively breaking the “three irons”—the iron rice bowl, the iron chair, and the iron wage. In 1991, he led comprehensive reforms in Tongling and published the article “Wake Up, Tongling,” launching an attack on rigidity, stagnation, and closed systems.

People’s Daily soon followed with an editorial titled “Wake Up, Not Only Tongling,” echoing his call and propelling Wang Yang to national prominence.

III. Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Tour: Personally Requesting to See Wang Yang

During Deng Xiaoping’s southern tour in 1992, Deng passed through Bengbu on his return journey and met with provincial leaders. He specifically requested that Wang Yang attend the meeting and praised him as a talented individual.

As a result, Wang Yang was placed on the Central Organization Department’s list of reserve cadres. In the same year, he was appointed Assistant Governor of Anhui Province and Director of the Provincial Planning Commission.

In 1993, at the age of 38, Wang Yang became Vice Governor of Anhui. Over the following two years, he pursued in-service graduate studies in management at the University of Science and Technology of China, earning a master’s degree in engineering.

In 1999, when Zhu Rongji became Premier, Wang Yang was transferred to serve as Deputy Director of the State Development Planning Commission. His bold and energetic style earned him Zhu Rongji’s remark: “Young in age, but not small in courage.”

In 2003, when Wen Jiabao assumed the premiership, Wang Yang became Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council and was promoted to full ministerial rank.

IV. “Nail Households”: “I Want to See Wang Yang”

In 2005, Wang Yang was appointed Party Secretary of Chongqing. During his tenure, the Yangjiaping demolition incident occurred, in which a “nail household” resident, Yang Wu, climbed onto a rooftop and shouted, “I want to see Wang Yang.”

Wang Yang did not block media coverage. Instead, he instructed all parties to negotiate and resolve the issue peacefully. The handling of the incident won widespread praise from public opinion.

V. Shunde: Reducing Party and Government Bodies from 41 to 16

In 2007, Wang Yang was elected to the Politburo and, in the same year, transferred to serve as Party Secretary of Guangdong Province. He launched sweeping institutional reforms. Shenzhen took the lead in initiating local “large-department” reforms, reducing government departments from 46 to 31—far below the central government’s cap of 40.

In 2009, Shunde District went even further, streamlining its Party and government bodies from 41 down to just 16.

In 2011, Wang Yang promoted a shift from an “all-powerful government” to a “limited government,” emphasizing that “large departments” must be matched with a “small government.”

In 2017, at the age of 62, Wang Yang was elected to the Politburo Standing Committee, ranking fourth. He was elevated to Vice Premier of the State Council, and in 2018, he was elected Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

VI. Officials Are Public Servants; Benefiting the People Is Their Duty

At the CCP’s 20th National Congress in 2022, many experts and media outlets, based on Wang Yang’s experience and performance, predicted that he was the most suitable candidate to succeed Li Keqiang as Premier. However, he was unacceptable to Xi Jinping.

As a result, Wang Yang proactively chose to “lie flat,” declining to stand for membership in the Central Committee or the Politburo, thereby effecting a complete retirement.

Wang Yang stated: “Benefiting the people is the responsibility of government. We must discard the mistaken notion that happiness is bestowed by the government. Happiness is not a gift, achievements cannot be credited to individuals, and officials are public servants of the people.”

VII. “Please Approve Me as a Guangdong Person”

After working in Guangdong for five years, Wang Yang said in his farewell speech: “Five years ago, I said I would strive to become a Guangdong person. Five years later today, if everyone believes I have integrated into Guangdong, please approve me as a Guangdong person.”

Wang Yang likened China–U.S. relations to a married couple. At the 2013 China–U.S. Strategic Dialogue, he remarked: “China and the United States should not choose divorce—divorce is too costly.”

Wang Yang was generous in communicating with subordinates, willing to listen to grassroots opinions, and known for his approachability.

VIII. Wang Yang’s “Lying Flat” Is China’s Tragedy

Wang Yang was a reform-minded yet steady leader who enjoyed deep public trust. He once stated that in reforming entrenched interest structures, “the first blade should be directed at the ruling party itself.”

He did not represent the interests of a small elite. Rising from local governance in Tongling to leadership roles in two major provinces, he was an experienced and capable leader. Compared with Xi Jinping, he was far superior and could be trusted to lead China toward democratic transformation.

That such a mature and rare leader was forced into complete political “lying flat” constitutes a tragedy for China.

IX. Wang Yang Still Has a Chance to Return

Wang Yang’s moral character is beyond reproach. He has no scandals and only a wife with a Western-style name, “Zhu Mary.” His family has no economic issues—clean, upright, and trustworthy in the eyes of the public.

Looking ahead, Wang Yang may still have an opportunity to return. He remains in good health and could continue serving into his 70s or even 80s, depending on circumstances and opportunity.

X. Recently Summoned by the General Office Over Economic Issues

In September 2023, reports circulated that Wang Yang had been summoned by the General Office of the CCP Central Committee regarding economic issues. There were also rumors that Xu Jiayin might have connections with Wang Yang.

Xu Jiayin is currently under investigation while in detention. It is also possible that economic issues could be used again to strike at Wang Yang, in order to prevent any future return.