Schweizer claims Xi Jinping's grip on power is far shakier than portrayed

Peter Schweizer, speaking with Eric Eggers on The Drill Down podcast, contends that President Xi Jinping’s authority is far from secure. He notes that Xi recently dismissed two top generals as he departed for the United States, and that six of the eight members of the Central Military Commission have been purged, arrested and charged with capital crimes. More than forty-five senior Chinese military figures have disappeared, leaving their families in the dark.

Schweizer and Eggers argue that these moves reflect deep internal turmoil and a deteriorating economy, with China’s growth slipping to its lowest level since 1991 and debt reaching roughly three times its GDP. They further assert that China will not comply with any AI-limiting pact with the United States, recalling past violations of agreements such as the NIH grant during the COVID-19 pandemic.