Born in 1953 in Beijing, Xi Jinping emerged from the political upheaval of the Cultural Revolution to become the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China. Since 2012, he has consolidated power through his roles as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, fundamentally reshaping the Chinese state structure.
Formative Years and Education
The son of revolutionary leader Xi Zhongxun and Qi Xin, Xi attended the Beijing Bayi School and Beijing 101 Middle School. Following his father's political purge in 1963, his early life was marked by displacement. In 1968, he was sent to Liangjiahe, Shaanxi, as part of the Down to the Countryside Movement. He lived in a yaodong for seven years before returning to Beijing to attend Tsinghua University from 1975 to 1979, where he studied chemical engineering as a worker-peasant-soldier student. He later returned to the university between 1998 and 2002 to earn a Doctor of Juridical Science.
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Xi began his career in the General Office of the State Council, serving as a secretary to Geng Biao. By 2007, he had joined the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and held the position of First Secretary until 2012. His ascent continued with his appointment as Vice President of the People's Republic of China in 2008. In 2012, he was named General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party. The following year, he assumed the presidency and the chairmanship of the State Central Military Commission.
Leadership and Ideology
As leader, Xi introduced his own political philosophy, known as Xi Jinping Thought, which was incorporated into party and national constitutions. His tenure has focused on large-scale anti-corruption initiatives and a significant restructuring of the People's Liberation Army. Beyond domestic policy, he championed the Belt and Road Initiative to expand influence across Africa and Eurasia. His literary contributions include the General Secretary Xi Jinping important speech series and Zhi Jiang Xin Yu, which outline his governance objectives.
Fast facts
- Born: 1953, Beijing
- General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party: 2012
- President of the People's Republic of China: 2013
- Education: Tsinghua University (1975-1979; 1998-2002)
- Religion: Atheism
- Military Rank: Commander-in-chief
Questions readers ask
What academic degrees does Xi hold?
He studied chemical engineering at Tsinghua University from 1975 to 1979 and later earned a Doctor of Juridical Science from the same institution between 1998 and 2002.
What are his primary leadership roles?
He serves as the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
