Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cnforbiddennews Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/chinaforbiddennews A state media, high-profile report of the last two days, claimed there are no “iron-cap princes” in the anti-corruption campaign. Website ifeng.com also published an article stating the tiger to be hit this year will be comparable to last year. Who are the “iron-cap princes”? Outside analysts seem to reach a consensus. That is the former general secretary of the CCP - Jiang Zemin. People's Daily commentaries said that anti-corruption sees no “iron-cap princes” and sets no cap on the quota on the 15th. It also claimed that CCP unity is “seriously endangered by the mutual penetration of corruption and politics”. Thus there's a serious political struggle that must be fought on the 16th. It's also commented that corruption in China has been ever intensified; even during the height of a crackdown on corruption, there are still individuals committing crimes their own way. Who are the “iron-cap princes” referred to by the state mouthpiece? Current affairs commentator Li Tianxiao: "According to the People's Daily report, the “iron-cap princes” will be people at the rank above Zhou Yongkang. It won’t be many. I think other than Jiang Zemin, no one else will match this title." Commentator Xing Tianxin: "It is obvious that the anti-graft will not end at the "Gang of Four". There is no cap on the ranking and it is pointing at the “iron-hat” princes. Who has the power or authority to qualify as an “iron-hat” prince? They will be Jiang Zemin and Zeng Qinghong." Iron-hat princes are princely titles of the Qing Dynasty. They will be "passed on forever" through each succeeding generation. It is therefore a metaphor for the strength and security of a title. Economist and commentator He Qinglian wrote: As for the iron-hat princes referred to by the People’s Daily, the ones qualified for the title will be the two former general secretaries, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, the three former prime ministers, Lee (Peng), Zhu (Rongji), Wen (Jiabao), and former Politburo Standing Committee member, also a princeling, Zeng Qinghong. But measured by "the CCP leadership and unity is seriously endangered by the mutual penetration of corruption and politics," it seems only Jiang and Zeng will qualify. Xing Tianxin: "Zeng Qinghong is the strategist of Jiang Zemin. He was the direct operator of many ideas. Neither of them have been hit. There is no third person with similar and direct political influence to the two of them." Since Xi Jinping stressed ‘no cap’ in the anti-corruption campaign in the Fifth Plenary Session of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission, it has been speculated the decisive point of winning the tiger hunt is approaching. Critics believe super tiger king is about to appear. Li Tianxiao: "According to a number of Xi Jinping’s talks about no cap, complete elimination, or zero-tolerance, and land slide victory in the anti-corruption, taken together, they all refer to tigers bigger than Zhou Yongkang." Analysts believe that the so-called no cap on ranking and quota, signals it is a step further towards Jiang Zemin. He Qinglian indicated in her commentary that anti-corruption has been deliberately portrayed as a “mode lead by rumors”, which was derived from Mao Zedong’s persecution tactic, ‘briefing’. When Mao decided to target someone, a briefing meeting would be conducted and documents issued. Based on the attitude of the target, the scheme of persecution was designed. So what is this mode lead by rumors? Netizens have summarized 6 steps in the mode: Rumors followed by downfall of cronies and family, the target denying the slandering rumors, media exposures, and finally the authorities' announcement and media skinning the tiger. As for exactly who are the iron-cap princes, it is still yet to be revealed until the regime finishes its “6-step mode lead by rumors”. 《神韵》2015世界巡演新亮点 http://www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org/

• published: 20 Jan 2015
• views: 21