Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping is the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of the People's Republic of China, holding the country's most powerful political positions since 2012 and 2013 respectively.
A constitutional change in 2018 removed presidential term limits in China, a move widely understood as clearing the way for Xi to remain in power indefinitely.
A Revolutionary Family Background
Xi is the son of a prominent Chinese Communist Party revolutionary leader, and endured hardship during the Cultural Revolution as a teenager before rising steadily through provincial party leadership positions over subsequent decades.
Rising to the Top of the Party
Xi became General Secretary of the Communist Party in 2012 and President of China the following year, consolidating power more rapidly and thoroughly than several of his immediate predecessors.
Ending Term Limits
In 2018, China's legislature removed presidential term limits from the constitution, a change widely understood as enabling Xi to remain in power indefinitely beyond the previous customary two-term limit.
An Anti-Corruption Campaign
Xi has led an extensive anti-corruption campaign within the Communist Party since taking power, which supporters credit with addressing genuine graft while critics argue has also served to eliminate political rivals.
China's Global Assertiveness
Under Xi's leadership, China has pursued a more assertive global posture, including the extensive Belt and Road international infrastructure initiative and an increasingly prominent role in global economic and diplomatic affairs.
