Historical Figure
Xi Jinping
b. 1953
Leader of China since 2012
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Biography
Xi Jinping is a Chinese statesman and politician who has served as the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) since 2012, and the president of China since 2013. Xi has been the leader of the fifth generation of Chinese leadership since 2012.
In Their Own Words (5)
Happiness does not fall out of the blue and dreams will not come true by themselves. We need to be down-to-earth and work hard. We should uphold the idea that working hard is the most honorable, noblest, greatest and most beautiful virtue.
As quoted in "Xi Jinping meets model workers" in cctv.com English (1 May 2013). , 2013
The capitalist road was tried and found wanting. Reformism, liberalism, social Darwinism, anarchism, pragmatism, populism, syndicalism - they all were given their moment on the stage. They all failed to solve the problems of China's future destiny. It is Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought that guided the Chinese people out of the darkness of that long night and established a New China; it is through socialism with Chinese characteristics that China has developed so quickly.
Quoted in Xi Jinping in Translation: China’s Guiding Ideology (2019), Palladium Mag , 2019
China's success proves that socialism is not dead. It is thriving. Just imagine this: had socialism failed in China, had our communist party collapsed like the party in the Soviet Union, then global socialism would lapse into a long dark age. And communism, like Karl Marx once said, would be a haunting spectre lingering in limbo.
Xi Jinping article gives insight into China’s direction ahead of Communist Party congress (2018), South China Morning Post , 2018
The issue [Israeli-Palestinian conflict], already lasting more than half a century, has brought deep suffering to the Palestinian people and remains an important reason of extended turbulence in the Middle East region.
As quoted in "China rebukes Israel ahead of Netanyahu visit" in cnn.com (7 May 2013). , 2013
Safeguarding the interests of our Taiwan compatriots and expanding their well-being is the mainland's oft-repeated pledge and solemn promise of the new leaders of China's Communist Party central committee.
As quoted in "China's Xi to tread peaceful, patient path on Taiwan" in Reuters (25 February 2013). , 2013
Timeline
The story of Xi Jinping, told in moments.
Studies chemical engineering at Tsinghua University as a "worker-peasant-soldier student." Starts climbing the political ranks in coastal provinces. Governor of Fujian. Governor and party secretary of Zhejiang. Each posting lasts years. He rises slowly and deliberately. Nobody outside China notices.
Named General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. He becomes the fifth-generation leader. Launches an anti-corruption campaign that takes down over a million officials, including former Politburo Standing Committee member Zhou Yongkang. Critics say it's as much about consolidating power as fighting graft.
The National People's Congress removes presidential term limits from the constitution. Previous leaders served two terms. Xi now has no formal expiration date. He also enshrines "Xi Jinping Thought" in the party charter. Only Mao and Deng achieved that while still alive.
COVID-19 emerges in Wuhan. Xi presides over a zero-COVID policy that locks down cities of tens of millions. The policy holds for nearly three years before being abruptly abandoned in December 2022 after rare public protests. The pivot happens in days. No explanation is offered.
Secured a third presidential term with no opposition. The cave dweller from Shaanxi has centralized more power than any Chinese leader since Mao. He champions the Belt and Road Initiative, the world's largest infrastructure project, spanning 150 countries. He's 69 and shows no sign of stepping aside.
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