CHINA’S President Xi Jinping is terrified of a Wagner-style coup after the extraordinary armed rebellion against his pal Putin, a former adviser to the US said.
Chaos exploded in Russia on Saturday when Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin seized control of Rostov-on-Don in a bloodless takeover before storming toward Moscow.
Wagner mercenaries were just 120 miles outside the capital when they took down arms and returned to their bases after Prigozhin struck a deal with Putin.
The tyrant is dealing with the fallout of the biggest challenge to his iron fist rule since he rose to power in the aftermath of the collapsed Soviet Union.
Miles Yu, former China policy adviser to Mike Pompeo, said the fear of a coup will now be “very real” for Putin’s ally Xi following the Wagner rebellion.
He said the uprising has had a “very immediate and strong impact on China” – and 70-year-old Xi.
“This is a very big shock not only to Moscow – but certainly to China and unsettling for Beijing,” Yu told the China Insider podcast.
“China is watching this with great anxiety and great care. There are several implications for China.
“The most important thing is that Prigozhin’s revolt created an alternative to very unpopular regime.
“This is what the CCP fears the most – any potential Wagner-type of crack in the Chinese system that is going to be an alternative to the Xi Jinping regime. That’s what they’re afraid of.”
Yu said there is growing resentment among the People’s Liberation Army as Xi has purged dozens of top military leaders over the years.
“Fear of a coup is very real for Xi,” he said.
“Under Xi’s 11-year rule, he has conducted a massive purge within the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
“Almost the entire military leadership under his predecessor have been purged.
“The resentment within the PLA against Xi Jinping is real.
“That’s why you can see every time Xi Jinping travels, even within China, his security is just enormous – rivalling that of Kim Jong-un or Gaddafi’s.
“This Wagner revolt also really spooked the Chinese leadership because it fears massive defection.
“Defection prevention has been a top priority during much of the PRC regime since the 1950s.
“Now, the CCP has strengthened its grip over the PLA, but the possibility is still there, like the Wagner revolt.
“The Chinese PLA is absolutely the party army… the party is the highest commanding authority.
“That’s why it’s very difficult for a coup to take place.
“But precisely because of the party loyalty… Xi Jinping tends to promote those who are politically loyal to him, but not necessarily professionally proficient.
“That’s why within the ranks of the PLA, you have this deep conflict between the ideologically correct and the militarily professional and capable.
“That’s why the resentment against the party control is also growing… it’s a very delicate balance.”
China was awash from rumours of Game of Thrones-style coup in September last year.
A ten-day absence from the public eye sowed the seeds of rumour and speculation ahead of a key meeting of the Communist Party.
Xi has often been the centre of intrigue around his health and future.
His absence fuelled speculation as there was a cabal of four high profile security officials who were jailed for corruption at the same time.
He was understood to have been purging the Communist Party of anyone he considers “disloyal” ahead of the congress.
At the centre of the speculation is General Li Qiaoming, the most senior officer in the People’s Liberation Army.
It has been suggested he could be the one to replace Xi if there was ever a move to oust him.
Russia looked like it was on the verge of a complete meltdown on Saturday – until the attempted coup was abruptly called off by Prigozhin after striking a deal with the Kremlin.
The warlord ordered his men to stand down and telling the world he was moving to Belarus after striking a deal.
But Western officials believe this is “chapter one” of a new era for Russia – with potentially Stalin-style purges to come as Putin tries to shore up his weakened rule.
Late last year, China was awash with rumours that Jinping had been overthrown by a general.
The 70-year-old leader – who has been leading the giant nation for ten years – as often been the centre of intrigue around his health and future.
