Xi Jinping, born in 1953, is the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and president of the People's Republic of China. He has implemented anti-corruption measures, aggressive foreign policies, and economic reforms during his tenure.
Xi Jinping married the prominent Chinese folk singer Peng Liyuan in 1987, and she has played a visible role as China's 'first lady'.
Xi Jinping published a work titled 'Theory and Practice on Modern Agriculture' in Fuzhou, providing insights into modern agricultural practices.
Xi Jinping conducted a tentative study on China's rural marketization for his doctoral dissertation at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Xi Jinping succeeded Jiang Zemin as the chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission at the Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee in Beijing on September 19, 2004.
In October 2007, Xi Jinping was appointed to the nine-man PSC at the 17th Party Congress, indicating his future succession as China's next leader.
In March 2008, Xi Jinping was elected as vice president of the People's Republic of China, further solidifying his position as a key leader in the government.
In February 2009, Xi Jinping embarked on a tour of Latin America, visiting several countries and addressing China's contributions during the international financial crisis.
Xi outlined a vision to transform China into a soccer superpower, including plans to include soccer in the national school curriculum and setting up thousands of soccer schools across the country.
On 15 November 2012, Xi Jinping was elected to the posts of general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the CMC, making him the paramount leader of China.
Xi Jinping assumed the presidency of the People's Republic of China, consolidating his position as the paramount leader of the country. He has since enacted or promoted a more aggressive foreign policy and overseen targeted poverty alleviation programs.
On 16 March 2013, Xi Jinping was elected as the President of China, succeeding Hu Jintao.
Xi Jinping launched the Shanghai Free-Trade Zone in August 2013, which was seen as part of the economic reforms.
At the conclusion of the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee, the Communist Party delivered a far-reaching reform agenda that alluded to changes in both economic and social policy. Xi signaled at the plenum that he was consolidating control of the massive internal security organization that was formerly the domain of Zhou Yongkang. A new National Security Commission was formed with Xi at its helm.
In May 2014, Xi called for a rejection of hegemonic power structures in global governance and advocated for Asian countries to unite and forge a way together, rather than get involved with third party powers.
Xi Jinping presided over the 709 crackdown on 9 July 2015, which saw more than 200 lawyers, legal assistants, and human rights activists being detained.
On 21 April 2016, Xi was named commander-in-chief of the country's new Joint Operations Command Center of the PLA, showcasing his strong leadership in military affairs.
Xi Jinping officially received the title of leadership core from the Chinese Communist Party, solidifying his central role in the party and the country. This further centralized institutional power by taking on multiple positions, including new CCP committees on national security, economic and social reforms, military restructuring and modernization, and the Internet.
The CCP Central Committee decided to include Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the Party Constitution. This marked the formal recognition of Xi's political philosophies within the party's guiding ideologies.
On 24 October 2017, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was added to the CCP Constitution at the closing session of the 19th Party Congress, further elevating its importance.
On October 25, 2017, Xi met congress delegates.
The National People's Congress changed the state constitution to include Xi Jinping Thought, further establishing its importance at the national level.
Xi Jinping removed term limits for the presidency, consolidating his power and paving the way for an indefinite tenure. This move has been a significant development in Xi's tenure, leading to concerns about a potential cult of personality developing around him.
The National People's Congress passed a set of constitutional amendments including the removal of term limits for the president and vice president, enhancing the central role of the CCP. Xi was reappointed as president without term limits, further consolidating his power.
Xi Jinping chaired the conference and committed to cracking down on criminal offenses including hacking, telecom fraud, and violation of citizens' privacy. He also emphasized the party and government-owned media's obligation to embody the party's will and safeguard its authority.
Xi Jinping published 'The Belt And Road Initiative', outlining his vision and strategy for the initiative.
Xi Jinping held individual meetings with various leaders during a forum.
On 20 January 2020, Xi commented for the first time on the emerging COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, and ordered 'efforts to curb the spread' of the virus. He gave premier Li Keqiang some responsibility over the COVID-19 response, in an attempt to potentially insulate himself from criticism if the response failed. The government initially responded to the pandemic with a lockdown and censorship, causing widespread backlash within China.
On 28 January, Xi met with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), where Xi pressured Tedros Adhanom to hold off on issuing a global warning about the outbreak of COVID-19 and hold back information on human-to-human transmission of the virus, allegations denied by the WHO.
On 5 February, Xi met with Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen in Beijing, the first foreign leader allowed into China since the COVID-19 outbreak.
After getting the outbreak in Wuhan under control, Xi visited the city on 10 March.
Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of the Communist Party of China during the 100th anniversary, stating that without the party, there would be no new China and no national rejuvenation. He also highlighted the leadership of the Party as the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
On 23 July 2022, the National Health Commission reported that Xi and other top leaders have taken the local COVID-19 vaccines.
The Congress oversaw amendments in the CCP constitution and the re-election of Xi as general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the CMC for a third term, further strengthening Xi's power.
On 7 December 2022, China announced large-scale changes to its COVID-19 policy, including allowing quarantine at home for mild infections, reducing PCR testing, and decreasing the power of local officials to implement lockdowns.
On 6 March 2023, during a speech to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Xi said that 'Western countries—led by the U.S.—have implemented all-round containment, encirclement and suppression' against China.
Xi was further re-elected as the PRC president and chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission during the opening of the 14th National People's Congress, solidifying his leadership.
On 26 April 2023, Zelenskyy and Xi held their first phone call since the start of the war in Ukraine.
President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year message for 2024.
On New Year's Eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2024 New Year message via China Media Group and the Internet. In his message, President Xi Jinping extended New Year wishes to the people, reflected on the achievements and progress made in 2023, and expressed confidence in the future. He also emphasized China's commitment to modernization, development, reform, and opening up, as well as its role in the international community.