Xi Jinping
Born 1953 · Age 72
Chinese politician; General Secretary of the CCP (since 2012), President of the People's Republic of China (since 2013), and Chairman of the Central Military Commission; central figure of the fifth generation of PRC leadership.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Beijing (or Fuping / Shaanxi origin family)
Born 15 June 1953 to Xi Zhongxun and Qi Xin. Third child in family; considered a 'princeling' due to father's revolutionary status.
Xi Zhongxun purged; family falls from favour
Xi's father was purged and sent to work in Luoyang, altering the family's fortunes and affecting Xi's early life.
Cultural Revolution interrupts education
Secondary education halted by Cultural Revolution; family home ransacked; half-sister persecuted to death and mother forced to publicly denounce Xi Zhongxun.
Ran away to Beijing and arrested
After struggling with rural life, Xi briefly ran back to Beijing, was arrested during a crackdown on deserters and sent to a work camp to dig ditches; later returned to Liangjiahe.
Became party secretary of Liangjiahe brigade (local leadership)
Worked and lived in a cave dwelling (yaodong) in Liangjiahe; rose to local leadership and developed links with rural populace during seven years in Yanchuan.
Sent to countryside (Liangjiahe, Yanchuan)
On 13 January 1969 Xi left Beijing as part of Mao's Down to the Countryside Movement and arrived at Liangjiahe village in Yan'an, Shaanxi.
Assigned to Zhaojiahe Village; returned to Liangjiahe
Yanchuan County assigned Xi to Zhaojiahe Village to lead social education; villages later advocated his return and he returned to Liangjiahe in July 1973.
Joined the Chinese Communist Party
After multiple applications (ten attempts reported), Xi's CCP membership was approved by the Yanchuan County Committee in early 1974.
Implemented rural innovations (biogas, wells, cooperatives)
Led introduction of biogas digesters, drilled wells and set up cooperatives and sales outlets in Liangjiahe — projects later replicated across the region.
Recommended and admitted to Tsinghua University
Selected by Yanchuan County for a spot at Tsinghua University; entered as a worker-peasant-soldier student to study chemical engineering (1975–1979).
Secretary to Geng Biao (senior official)
Served as one of three secretaries to Geng Biao, a Politburo member and Minister of Defense, gaining central-level experience.
Graduated Tsinghua; assigned to State Council & CMC offices
Graduated April 1979 with degree in chemical engineering; assigned to General Office of State Council and General Office of CCP Central Military Commission as secretary to Geng Biao.
Appointed deputy party secretary of Zhengding County (Hebei)
On 25 March 1982 Xi was named deputy party secretary of Zhengding County, Hebei – his first county-level leadership role outside Shaanxi.
Became CCP Zhengding County Committee secretary
Promoted in July 1983 to secretary of the CCP Zhengding County Committee; launched development projects and local tourism/urban strategy.
Convinced central government to reduce grain requisition
Xi and colleagues successfully persuaded central authorities to cut excessive yearly requisitions by 14,000,000 kilograms, easing burdens on local farmers.
Secured 3.5M yuan for Rongguo Mansion; boosted tourism revenue
Invited a production center to Zhengding, secured CNY 3.5 million to build Rongguo Mansion; that year tourism generated CNY 17.61 million for the county.
Study tour to the United States (Iowa) on agriculture/corn processing
Participated in a 1985 study tour on corn processing and agricultural production in Iowa, USA.
Appointed executive vice mayor of Xiamen, Fujian
Arrived in Xiamen as vice-mayor in June 1985; drafted strategic development plan (Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy 1985–2000).
Married Peng Liyuan
Married Peng Liyuan, a well-known folk singer (1987); Peng later became widely visible as China's First Lady.
Became Party Secretary of Ningde (Fujian)
Appointed secretary of Ningde in September 1988; focused on poverty alleviation and party building in a poorer prefecture.
Appointed Party Secretary of Fuzhou (municipal leadership)
In May 1990 Xi was assigned to Fuzhou as Municipal Committee Secretary; initiated urban renewal, cultural rehabilitation and business attraction programs.
Elevated to Deputy Secretary of Fujian Provincial Committee
In 1995 Xi was promoted to deputy party secretary of Fujian province, consolidating provincial-level leadership experience.
Named alternate member of the 15th Central Committee
Elevated to national party body as an alternate member of the CCP's 15th Central Committee (1997).
Appointed Vice Governor of Fujian
Became vice governor of Fujian in 1999 and soon after acting governor; promoted economic initiatives and cross-Strait ties.
Governor of Fujian Province
Served as governor of Fujian (2000–2002); proposed the 'Golden Triangle' and Fuzhou 3820 development plan; promoted 'Digital Fujian' and the '12345' citizen service platform.
Transferred to Zhejiang — acting governor, then party secretary
In 2002 Xi moved to neighbouring Zhejiang, initially as acting governor and later as provincial Party Secretary (2002–2007), marking his first top provincial Party post.
Li Qiang becomes close aide (chief of staff)
Li Qiang acted as Xi's chief of staff (2004–2007) as secretary-general of Zhejiang Party Committee; the relationship later became politically significant.
Became President of the Central Party School
Took the presidency of the CCP's Central Party School (2007–2012), an important ideological and cadre-training position.
Appointed Party Secretary of Shanghai (March 2007)
Transferred to Shanghai in March 2007 following Chen Liangyu's dismissal; served for about seven months focusing on discipline and stability.
Elected to Politburo Standing Committee; first-ranked Secretary of Central Secretariat
At the 17th Party Congress (October 2007) Xi joined the nine-member Politburo Standing Committee and became first-ranking secretary of the Central Secretariat.
Elected Vice President of China
Elected vice president of the People's Republic of China at the March 2008 NPC; handled portfolios including Hong Kong and Macau affairs and Olympics preparations.
First foreign trip as Vice President (June 17–25, 2008)
Made first foreign trip as vice president to North Korea, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen (17–25 June 2008).
Named Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
Appointed vice chairman of the CMC (Party and State commissions in October 2010), a key stepping-stone toward full control of the military.
Designated Hu Jintao's presumed successor and consolidated portfolios
After joining the PSC and holding vice-presidential and vice-CMC roles, Xi was designated the likely successor and consolidated multiple leadership portfolios to prepare for top office.
Elected General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
On 15 November 2012 Xi succeeded Hu Jintao as General Secretary of the CCP, becoming the party's top leader and de facto paramount leader.
Elected President of the People's Republic of China
On 14 March 2013 the National People's Congress elected Xi as President of China, completing the 'trinity' of party, state and military leadership.
Publication: The Governance of China (collection of speeches)
A compilation of Xi's speeches and remarks, 'The Governance of China', published Oct 2014; used to promote his political ideas domestically and abroad.
State visit to the US and meetings with tech/business leaders (Sept 2015)
During first state visit to US (Sept 22–27, 2015) Xi met business and tech leaders in Seattle and President Obama in Washington, DC.
State visit to the United Kingdom
Made a state visit to the United Kingdom (20–23 October 2015) to bolster diplomatic and economic ties.
Meeting with Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore
On 7 November 2015 Xi met Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou — the first meeting between leaders from both sides since 1949.
Assumed title 'commander in chief' of joint battle command center
In April 2016 Xi became the commander in chief of the new joint forces battle command center, consolidating military control and reform leadership.
Declared 'core' leader of CCP
On 27 October 2016 the CCP declared Xi the 'core' of the Party leadership — a title previously given to Mao and Deng — raising his stature.
Political ideology enshrined in party constitution
Following 2017 congress, 'Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era' added to CCP constitution; later added to state constitution (2018).
Xi Jinping Thought enshrined in Party constitution
At the 19th Party Congress (24 Oct 2017) delegates voted to add 'Xi Jinping Thought' as a guiding principle to the CCP constitution.
Party proposes removing presidential term limits
On 25 Feb 2018 the CCP Central Committee proposed constitutional amendments to abolish presidential term limits, enabling indefinite service.
NPC endorses constitutional amendment (abolish term limits)
On 11 March 2018 the National People's Congress passed the amendment removing two-term limit for president and vice president.
Confirmed for a second presidential term
On 17 March 2018 Xi was confirmed for a second five-year term as China's president.
China–US trade tensions escalate under Xi's leadership
From 2018–2019 the US-China trade dispute grew; Xi negotiated with US counterparts and both sides imposed tariffs, shaping economic policy.
Oversaw passage of Hong Kong National Security Law
In 2020 Xi's administration oversaw passage and implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, tightening Beijing's control.
Zero-COVID policy begins
Following the COVID-19 outbreak, Xi presided over strict 'zero-COVID' measures in mainland China beginning January 2020.
Visited Wuhan (first visit since outbreak)
On 10 March 2020 Xi made his first post-outbreak visit to Wuhan to inspect epidemic prevention and control measures.
Directed crackdown on tech and tutoring sectors; 'common prosperity' push
In 2021 Xi's policy agenda included stricter regulation of tech giants and education/tutoring firms and renewed emphasis on 'common prosperity.'
Anti-corruption campaign continues (downfall of Zhou Yongkang etc.)
Ongoing nationwide anti-corruption campaign under Xi led to prosecutions of senior officials, including the former PSC member Zhou Yongkang.
CCP passes major 'history resolution' praising Xi
In November 2021 the CCP adopted a historic resolution reviewing its past 100 years, dedicating large coverage to achievements under Xi and praising his leadership.
Secured a third term as CCP General Secretary
In October 2022 Xi was re-elected as General Secretary at the 20th CCP Congress, breaking post-Mao succession norms and consolidating power.
Shift away from zero-COVID policy after protests
Following December 2022 protests and public pressure, China's policy shifted toward mitigation and away from strict zero-COVID measures.
Re-elected President for unprecedented third term
On 10 March 2023 the National People's Congress endorsed Xi for an unprecedented third term as state president.
Hosted Vladimir Putin for two-day state visit
On 16 May 2024 Xi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing; leaders issued a broad joint statement on strategic alignment.
First public comments on escalating US trade war (April 11, 2025)
On 11 April 2025 Xi publicly commented on the escalating trade war with the United States, signaling a defiant domestic message.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Xi Jinping and others achieved at these notable ages:
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