Xi sinsong biography

1. Early Life and Education
2. Rural Upbringing and Political Ascension
3. Economic Reforms in Zhejiang
4. Leadership in Shanghai and the Politburo
5. Vice Presidency and Presidential Aspirations
6. General Secretary and President
7. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Xi Jinping was born in Beijing, China, and raised primarily in the capital. He became the first Chinese Communist leader to speak Mandarin with a "clean" accent, without any hint of provincialism. His father, Xi Zhongxun, was a prominent communist revolutionary who later became a high-ranking party official.

Rural Upbringing and Political Ascension

In 1968, Xi's father was imprisoned and Xi was sent to Shaanxi province under Mao Zedong's agricultural program. Despite facing adversity, Xi joined the Communist Youth League in 1971 and the Communist Party in 1974. He steadily rose through the ranks, serving in various roles in four Chinese provinces from 1969 to 2007.

Economic Reforms in Zhejiang

In 2002, Xi became the provincial party chief and governor of Zhejiang. He implemented successful economic policies that led to impressive growth for the province. Xi also gained a reputation for being ruthless in fighting corruption.

Leadership in Shanghai and the Politburo

In 2007, Xi was appointed as the party secretary of Shanghai, a high-profile position that signified his growing influence. He avoided major scandals and maintained a low profile during his tenure. In October 2007, Xi was elected to the Politburo Standing Committee, a powerful body consisting of the nine top party leaders.

Vice Presidency and Presidential Aspirations

Xi's election as vice president in 2008 further solidified his status as a potential successor to Hu Jintao. However, his influence waned briefly in 2009 when he was not named vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. By 2010, it became clear that Xi was poised to become the next paramount leader.

General Secretary and President

On November 15, 2012, Xi Jinping was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. He became president the following year on March 14, 2013, winning an overwhelming majority of the votes. As president, Xi has taken a proactive approach, addressing issues such as the civil war in Sri Lanka, relations with Hong Kong, and cyber security with US President Barack Obama.

Personal Life

Xi Jinping is married to Peng Liyuan, a popular folk singer. Their busy schedules have put a strain on their family life.