Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Multiple interpretations of Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearances suggest underlying signals

 Direct translation

Wen Jiabao makes a sudden appearance! Is he showing off to Xi?
—Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearance is unusual; multiple interpretations suggest underlying signals.

Reporter : Wang Duran / Editor: Fang Xun / Source: Aboluowang/NTDTV  / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366774.html / Image : On 27 March 2026, photos of former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao appearing in Beijing went viral online, drawing widespread attention. (X Platform)
A replay of a scene from ten years ago? Wen Jiabao's appearance this time is highly unusual.

Apollo News reporter Wang Duren reports: Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a high-profile appearance at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, on an unknown date. Related photos and videos circulated on the X platform on March 27 and 29. The crowd of onlookers appeared to have been pre-arranged, and the "photos first, then videos" dissemination pattern suggests an organized information release rather than a chance encounter.

The focus of the video is not only on Wen Jiabao himself, but also on the unusual details surrounding his entourage. Bai Chunli, Ding Zhongli, Liu Weiping, and others appeared in the footage—Bai Chunli stepped down as president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2020, and Ding Zhongli became vice chairman of the National People's Congress in 2021, no longer actively involved in frontline work.

Commentator "Jin Tao Pai An" wrote in *Kan Zhongguo* that this lineup highly overlaps with the entourage accompanying Wen Jiabao during his lecture at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences on September 27, 2016. Public footage from that time also showed Bai Chunli and Ding Zhongli present. This raises the crucial question: Is this a new appearance, or is old footage being repackaged and re-released?

"Jin Tao Pai An" believes the video is likely authentic, but may not represent the "complete scene," and the possibility of splicing together old footage cannot be ruled out. Aboluowang  News commentator Wang Duran believes this suspicion is "partially reasonable," but Wen Jiabao appears noticeably older in the current footage.

Another focus is the license plates. In the video, Wen Jiabao almost gets into the wrong car; the license plates of the second and fourth cars both begin with "VA," suggesting they belong to the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, not the Central Security Bureau under Xi Jinping's control. American commentator Tang Jingyuan judged that this anomaly may reflect a power rift within the CCP's top leadership, or even a confrontation between "two central authorities."

However, Zhang Tianliang offered a different perspective: the Central Security Bureau itself is "one institution with three names," encompassing the Security Bureau of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Security Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, and the Ninth Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. In other words, this system spans the Party, military, and government systems. Therefore, the appearance of the "VA" military license plate vehicle is not necessarily unusual and cannot be taken as direct evidence of a power split.

Therefore, the true significance of Wen Jiabao's appearance this time is not merely the "appearance" itself, but rather what message he intends to convey to the outside world.

Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao recently inspected the Institute of Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. News of this was censored domestically, but photos and videos appeared first on overseas social media platforms. Wen Jiabao's appearance in Beijing sparked heated discussions overseas. Why do his every move attract so much attention abroad? Is Wen Jiabao's appearance a denial or a challenge to Xi Jinping?

On 27 March 2026, photos of Wen Jiabao's public appearance in Beijing circulated widely overseas, and by the 29th, videos of the scene had surfaced. Wen Jiabao appeared visibly aged, his thinning hair graying, yet his spirit remained high. He waved and clasped his hands in greeting to the crowd who shouted "Hello, Premier!"

Since Xi Jinping came to power, he has explicitly prohibited retired officials from "criticizing the central government." Retired Standing Committee members face strict restrictions on leaving their homes, requiring approval from Cai Qi, Director of the General Office of the Central Committee. In recent years, it has been rare for the outside world to see retired central leaders in public. Wen Jiabao's appearance is considered highly unusual.

Independent commentator Cai Shenkun stated on X that Wen Jiabao's public appearance can be seen as a way of dispelling rumors.

He mentioned that recently, someone had been sending him numerous emails claiming that Wen Jiabao and his family were under house arrest, requesting that he forward a tens of thousands of words urgent appeal on X, mainly concerning Wen Jiabao's public opposition to Xi Jinping's military unification of Taiwan, which he claimed resulted in Xi's retaliation and house arrest. However, he believes that given Wen Jiabao's past experience and political wisdom, he wouldn't have fallen to such a state. Information he received from friends in Beijing contradicts this claim.

Following Wen Jiabao's public appearance, an unnamed source sent an article to The Epoch Times' email address, stating: "Our previous revelations that Xi Jinping attempted to use the US to attack Iran in order to militarily unify Taiwan, and that he had placed Wen Jiabao's entire family under house arrest for this purpose, have already forced Xi Jinping to have the General Office of the Central Committee arrange for Wen Jiabao to appear. This shows that the revelations have been effective and have already influenced the political situation in China."

The article also mentioned that since the Tiananmen Square tragedy of 1989, Wen Jiabao is the only high-ranking CCP leader who still insists on political reform within the CCP, desires to redress the June Fourth Incident, and prevents a recurrence of the Cultural Revolution in China. The Epoch Times could not verify the veracity of this revelation.

U.S.-based scholar Wu Zuolai posted: "The old man was forced out by rumours to bask in the spring sunshine. Not only has Wen Jiabao been under house arrest, but other former Standing Committee members are the same. They have to apply to Cai Qi and report before they can leave the house. The stated reason is that for security reasons, they are under first-level security, and they get the green light wherever they go. Back then, when a former Standing Committee member came to our library to look up some information, he was also under second-level security."

An article by Andre published on RFI's Chinese website points out that Wen Jiabao's public appearance has attracted attention and is closely related to the current political atmosphere. With the party and the military undergoing purges, even high-ranking officials like Zhang Youxia have fallen from grace, and Politburo member Ma Xingrui has disappeared without a trace. His (Wen Jiabao's) sudden appearance inevitably raises questions about what signal he is sending.

Renowned commentator Tang Jingyuan analyzed for NTD that Xi Jinping's recent appearance in Xiong'an New Area is a way of making his presence felt. Wen Jiabao's high-profile inspection of the Institute of Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was not merely to dispel rumors of his "house arrest," but also carried the implication of a power struggle with Xi Jinping.

He believes that the release of photos and videos of Wen Jiabao's visit, followed by his waving to the crowds immediately upon leaving the institute, appears pre-arranged and carries a clear propaganda element. Logically, under Xi Jinping's leadership, such a high-profile appearance by a veteran like Wen Jiabao should not be permitted, "indicating that Xi Jinping has no control over Wen Jiabao at all."

Netizens noted that Wen Jiabao's trip was escorted by military vehicles with "VA license plates" from the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.

Tang Jingyuan analyzes that with Zhang Youxia's recent incident, the CCP has split into two central leaderships: one led by Xi Jinping, and the other by Wen Jiabao and others, including Liu Yuan. He believes that Wen Jiabao's security was provided by the military system, specifically personnel from the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, not the Central Security Bureau.

Why did Wen Jiabao's appearance attract international attention? Political commentator Li Linyi stated that the exact reasons for Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearance at this time remain unclear. His appearance was censored domestically, but videos and photos circulated overseas, suggesting manipulation behind the scenes and a political undertone. The international buzz surrounding his appearance stems not only from potential unusual power struggles but also from his perceived role as a party elder with remaining conscience and the potential to influence China's reforms, especially after the arrest of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

On the eve of his resignation as Premier in 2012, Wen Jiabao stated at a press conference that without political reform, the historical tragedy of the Cultural Revolution could repeat itself. Some observers, comparing this statement to Xi Jinping's current rule, have called it a "precise prediction."

Of course, the political situation during the Hu-Wen era was not entirely transparent either, but many observers point out that compared to today, censorship was relatively loose, and civil society was more active, with the emergence of numerous human rights lawyers representing the vulnerable and those who have suffered injustice. This all came to an end during Xi Jinping's presidency, with the 2015 crackdown on human rights lawyers.

A video of Wen Jiabao's interview with CNN during his 2010 trip to New York for the UN General Assembly has recently gone viral. The video shows Wen discussing internet censorship, defending the authorities while acknowledging the necessity of freedom of speech in any country. Wen also pointedly remarked, "I believe the people's pursuit and need for democracy and freedom is unstoppable, and I hope you can gradually see China's continuous progress."

Li Linyi stated that with Xi Jinping's continued strengthening of authoritarian control, Wen Jiabao's situation is not easy, and he may not even intend to exert influence. The outside world should not place too much hope on him. In fact, things may not go as planned, and the changes in China may have other arrangements.

—Original Title: Why did Wen Jiabao's appearance in Beijing spark heated discussions overseas?

The UAE is about to join the Iran war, potentially helping Trump gain access to the Strait of Hormuz

 Direct translation

Reports surface that this Middle Eastern country is about to formally join the war, potentially helping Trump gain access to the Strait of Hormuz

Editor : Zhongkang / Source: World Journal / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366847.html /  Image : UAE attacked by Iran

Several Arab officials revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is prepared to assist the United States and its allies in forcibly opening the Strait of Hormuz, potentially becoming the first Gulf state to formally enter the conflict.

The Wall Street Journal reported on 31 March 2026 that the UAE is lobbying the UN Security Council to pass a resolution proposed by Bahrain authorizing countries to use "all necessary means" to defend commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. "All necessary means" is a diplomatic term for the use of force. The draft resolution is expected to be voted on on 2 April 2026. Even if the resolution is vetoed by China and Russia, or if France proposes a different version, the UAE is still prepared to join the conflict.

Gulf officials stated that the UAE believes that if authorized by the UN Security Council, previously hesitant Eurasian countries will be willing to assist in clearing the strait.

Arab officials indicated that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are also shifting their stance against the Iranian regime, hoping the war will continue until Tehran is incapacitated or collapses, but have not yet committed to military intervention.

This UAE official confirmed that the country is actively reviewing its military role in ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, including assisting in mine clearance and providing other support. Some Arab officials also stated that the UAE advocates for the U.S. to occupy Abu Musa Island in the Sea of ​​Hormoz, an island controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE.

The report notes that the U.S.-Israel conflict triggered indiscriminate retaliation from Tehran against its neighbours, resulting in the firing of over 2,500 missiles and drones at the UAE—a number exceeding that of Israel and other Gulf states that initiated the conflict. The UAE's now hardened stance indicates a significant shift in its strategic thinking and political position towards Iran.

Meanwhile, Tehran has recently escalated its offensive against the UAE, explicitly stating that it will destroy civilian infrastructure within the UAE if the country supports U.S.-Israel actions.

Sabb, a researcher at the Royal Institute of International Affairs and a former Middle East advisor to the Pentagon, stated that the decision to join the military operation sends a public signal of Arab support for fighting Iran and provides more operational options for both the war against Iran and attempts to reopen the Strait of ​​Hormuz.

The UAE, with its bases, the Jebel Ali deep-water port, and its proximity to the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, can serve as a crucial forward operating base for US-led operations. The UAE Air Force, equipped with US-made F-16 fighter jets, along with surveillance drones, bombs, and short-range missile stockpiles, can also support escort operations and coordinate strikes against Iranian targets.

Iranian President reiterates his demand for a ceasefire, sends oil prices plummeting

 Direct translation

Iranian President's sudden statement sends Dow Jones soaring, oil prices plummeting

Editor: Fang Xun / Source: World Journal / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366725.html / Image : Photo of Iranian President Pezesikorn, by Xinhua News Agency

Iranian media outlet IRNA reported that Iranian President Pezesikorn issued a statement on 31 March 2026 reiterating his demand for a ceasefire, causing oil prices to plummet, U.S. stocks to rise further, and the dollar index to fall below the 100-point mark.

The message from Iran is very clear: Iran is not seeking war and is prepared to end it, but only on the condition of formal security guarantees to protect the country from further attacks.

The semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported a day earlier that the Iranian president stated at a cabinet meeting on 30 March 2026 that Iran has at least two preconditions for ending the war: "Any decision on whether to end the war must be made after considering all established conditions, and on the premise of upholding the dignity of the great Iranian nation and ensuring Iran's security and interests."

Brent crude oil futures for June delivery fell further, at one point exceeding 4%, while West Texas Intermediate crude also declined; the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,102 points, or 2.4%; the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index and TSMC ADRs jumped 5%.

Earlier, the U.S. had been consistently releasing messages indicating its desire to end the war: Trump posted a message suggesting countries buy US oil, or "go to the Strait of Hormuz and take it down themselves"; the U.S. Secretary of Defense stated that diplomatic negotiations to end the war had made significant progress; and US media had previously reported that Trump had indicated to his staff that he was willing to end military action against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked.

U.S. Trade Representative Greer, in an interview on 31 March 2026, also stated that preparations for the Trump-Xi meeting were progressing smoothly, downplaying the possibility of a further postponement of the meeting between the two leaders.


Trump : The U.S. has won the Iran war

 Direct translation

Iran has suffered a complete defeat! Trump bluntly stated: We won.

Reporter : Mr. Tao Miao / Editor: Fang Xun / Source : X / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366816.html
👁️🔥 President Trump's speech can be summarized by one core point: this is not a "confrontation" at all, but a complete rout! He bluntly stated—many people are still saying "the other side is putting up a fierce resistance," but the truth is:

👉The other side didn't resist at all. Why? Because they had nothing left to resist. • Air defense systems were basically destroyed • Equipment was completely destroyed • No navy • No complete military force. And the result? American warplanes patrolled over Tehran without even firing a single bullet to intercept them. In short:

👉Trump claimed he would completely crush the opponent, and incidentally mocked the equipment—he described American fighter jets as "Lincoln + modern version" and "Franklin + modern version," the implication being obvious: old-fashioned powerful aircraft + cutting-edge technology = absolute air superiority. He then concluded:

👉The other side has already admitted defeat,

👉They are begging for negotiations. Next, he shifted his focus, launching a fierce attack on the media—specifically criticizing *The New York Times*: he said that if you only read this media outlet's reports, you might even wonder: who is the real winner? He pointed out a key issue:

👉The reporting is "grossly distorted." Finally, he uttered a classic Trump-style quip: he insists he won three elections, while the media has been misleading the public into believing he will lose. The core logic of this entire argument is actually very simple:

👉"I won on the battlefield, and you pretend not to see that in the arena of public opinion."

Trump's latest statement on Hormuz

 Direct translation

Breaking News! Trump's latest statement: Hormuz is no longer important?

Editor: Zhongkang / Reporter : Wang Duran / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0331/2366405.htmlImage : Illustrative image


The anti-Trump Wall Street Journal, citing multiple U.S. officials, stated that Trump has privately indicated that the U.S. could end its military action against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains "semi-blocked," implying a possible temporary halt without restoring the critical energy route.

The White House assessment suggests that forcibly opening the strait would extend the conflict beyond the originally planned four to six weeks. Therefore, the priority has shifted to achieving core military objectives—weakening the Iranian navy, depleting its missile capabilities, and suppressing its military system—before pushing for de-escalation. The strait issue will be addressed through diplomatic pressure and reliance on allies.

Meanwhile, the U.S. maintains a "two-track strategy": sending signals of negotiation while retaining the option of striking energy facilities. The pressure is already evident; the Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments, and its obstruction has pushed oil prices back to $100 per barrel, impacting energy and supply chains.

Militarily, the U.S. military continues to increase troop deployments, with amphibious ships, Marines, and airborne troops already in the combat zone, and various options, including controlling key resources, are being assessed.

Aboluowang commentator Wang Duran points out that, according to the logic of this report, the U.S. strategy is shifting from "direct control of channels" to "phased strikes + allied burden-sharing." However, the problem is that if this content is true, the continuous leakage of a large amount of core White House information concerning deployments and strategies is inconsistent with the norm of high-intensity military operations.

More likely, this kind of "internal information" is merely a signal released by different positions, part of information warfare, rather than a complete strategy. Some media outlets are constantly reinforcing the narrative of "the U.S. backing down and being restricted," but the reality is that the U.S. military is still advancing deployments and retaining options.

In other words, these reports are more like presenting "one version of the U.S.." The real situation is likely to be more hardline and complex—when "top secret" information is constantly leaked, it is not just intelligence, but may be deliberately released to steer the tide.



Troop withdrawal countdown begins, Middle East landscape shifts

 Direct translation

Trump makes a sudden showdown! Troop withdrawal countdown begins, Middle East landscape shifts

Reporter : Wang Duruo / Editor : Zhongkang / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0401/2366865.htmlImage : File photo 

Trump suddenly gave the clearest signal yet: a timetable for troop withdrawal is on the table.

On 31 March 2026, Trump stated bluntly at the White House, "We'll be leaving soon," emphasizing that the goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons had been achieved, and explicitly stating that the US might end its military action against Iran within two to three weeks. This was the first concrete timeframe since the conflict began, interpreted by the outside world as the US proactively setting the tone for the "end."

Regarding the logic of the war, Trump's attitude was equally direct: no agreement, only the effects of the strikes—as long as Iran is weakened to the point where it cannot acquire nuclear capabilities in the short term, the U.S. will withdraw, even going so far as to say, "Let Iran go back to the Stone Age."

While Trump continued to signal a "soon end," the White House and Secretary of State Rubio emphasized that the operation was still underway, only stating it would be "completed within weeks," without mentioning withdrawal. This structure of "optimism on the surface, progress behind the scenes" is quite evident.

From the perspective of battlefield reality, the situation is far from over. The U.S. military still maintains approximately 50,000 troops deployed in the Middle East, with operations continuing. Three aircraft carriers have assembled, the 82nd Airborne Division and Marines have arrived, and there are even discussions about expanding the strikes. There is a clear misalignment between the battlefield pace and political pronouncements.

The real signal is not the end of the war, but a rejection of a protracted conflict. Trump's path is clear: rapid strikes, achieving minimum objectives, avoiding deep involvement, and no long-term occupation.


Monday, March 30, 2026

Hotel Review X : Miracle Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

Review, photo copyright by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA



I choose to stay at Miracle Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel again as this will be my last time statying here before Thailand imposed tourism tax of 9 Dollars and raised international departure tax from June 2026.

The rooftop area of Miracle Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is the best place to see the famous sun rise of Bangkok, cyclists riding and rare planes preparing to take off and take off. However, there is heat haze if photographers try to shoot photos of planes approaching the runway to depart from the airport.

I am happy to view rare planes taking off from Suvarnabhumi Airport such as World2fly A330-300, Starlux Airlines A350-1000 and Turkmenistan Airlines B777-200 at Miracle.

Multiple interpretations of Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearances suggest underlying signals

  Direct translation Wen Jiabao makes a sudden appearance! Is he showing off to Xi? —Wen Jiabao's sudden public appearance is unusual; m...