Biography
Xi Jinping, born June 15, 1953 in Beijing, China, is a prominent politician and businessman who has become one of the most influential figures in modern Chinese politics. He is the son of Xi Zhongxun, a key Communist revolutionary and former vice premier.
Xi Jinping’s early years were shaped by the Cultural Revolution. At the age of 15, he was sent to live and work in rural Shaanxi Province. The experience deeply influenced his views of China’s rural population and shaped his political views.
Xi’s political rise began in the 1980s with a series of local leadership roles, including as Party Secretary of Zhengding County. During his time there, he emphasized cultural and sustainable development rather than the widespread practice of rapid economic growth through land sales. His steady rise within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) culminated in his election as General Secretary of the CCP in 2012 and President of China in 2013.
Xi Jinping’s tenure has seen a centralization of power, with many comparing his authority to that of Deng Xiaoping or even Mao Zedong. His rule has been marked by a vigorous anti-corruption campaign, increased state control over the economy and society, and a more assertive foreign policy, particularly in the South China Sea and through the Belt and Road Initiative.
In 2018, the National People’s Congress amended China’s Constitution to remove presidential term limits, potentially allowing Xi Jinping to stay in power indefinitely. The move, along with the inclusion of “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” in the party charter, highlighting his significant ideological and political influence in China.
President of the People’s Republic of China
Xi Jinping |
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 Xi Jinping: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Real name: | Xi Jinping |
| Born: | June 15, 1953 (age 71) |
| Place of birth: | Beijing, China |
| Nationality: | Chinese |
| Education: | Tsinghua University |
| Height: | 1.72 meters |
| Parents: | Tap Trong Huan, Te Tan |
| Siblings: | Peace Exercise |
| Couple: | Peng Liyuan (d. 1987), Ke Lingling (d. 1979–1982) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | Minh Trach Tap |
| Job: | Politician • Businessman |
| Net worth: | 1.2 billion dollars (USD) |
Early life and education
Xi Jinping, born on June 15, 1953 in Beijing, China, comes from a family with an important political tradition. His father, Xi Zhongxun, was a prominent figure in the Communist Party, while his mother, Qi Xin, was an author.
Xi Jinping is Han Chinese, China’s largest ethnic group. Although his personal religious beliefs are not public, as a member of the Communist Party he has maintained the party’s atheist stance.
The Cultural Revolution had a profound impact on Xi’s early years. At the age of 15, he was sent to rural Shaanxi to work and live with farmers, exposing him to the challenges of rural life and shaping his political views. His family also suffered during this period; his older sister, Xi Heping, is believed to have committed suicide amid the political turmoil.
Despite interruptions in his studies, Xi Jinping eventually graduated. Tsinghua University He earned a degree in chemical engineering and then completed a postgraduate program in Marxist theory at the same institute.
After the Cultural Revolution, Xi Jinping’s political career began to take shape as he rose through various local and provincial leadership positions. His rise from a troubled youth and the political upheavals of his father to one of the world’s most powerful leaders reflects his resilience and ambition.
Career
Xi Jinping’s political career took off after the Cultural Revolution, starting in 1982 as Deputy Party Secretary of Zhengding County, Hebei Province. His focus on cultural preservation and sustainable development set the stage for his future approach to governance.
As he rose through the ranks, Xi held important posts such as Governor of Fujian and later Party Secretary of Zhejiang Province, where he promoted “Zhejiang Model”, prioritizing environmental protection and technological innovation. During his short tenure as Shanghai Party Secretary, he skillfully led the city through the challenges of the global financial crisis.
Xi Jinping’s path to national leadership was solidified when he was appointed to the Politburo Standing Committee in 2007. He then became vice president in 2010, making him a potential successor to Hu Jintao. In 2012, he was elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China, and in 2013, he assumed the presidency.
His leadership has been marked by a sweeping anti-corruption campaign that has both consolidated his control and restructured the Communist Party. Economically, Xi has pursued reforms while maintaining tight state control, aiming to reduce industrial overcapacity and spur innovation.
Internationally, Xi Jinping’s assertive foreign policy is reflected in the Belt and Road Initiative, designed to expand China’s economic footprint globally. His administration has also shown increasing military assertiveness, particularly in resolving territorial disputes.
Ideologically, Xi Jinping has consolidated control by combining “Xi Jinping Thought” into the party’s core doctrine alongside traditional Communist principles. This has been combined with tighter social governance, including advanced surveillance systems and restrictions on civil liberties.
On the international stage, Xi Jinping has sought to elevate China’s role in international governance, challenging existing norms and establishing new institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Personal life
Xi Jinping married Peng Liyuan, a famous Chinese folk singer, in 1987. He had previously been briefly married to Ke Lingling, but their marriage ended in divorce. His marriage to Peng, who was already a prominent public figure, helped project a more relatable image, combining his political career with his family life.
The couple has a daughter, Xi Mingze, born in 1992. She lives a rather private life, even studying abroad under a pseudonym to protect her privacy.
Xi Jinping’s height is not officially recorded, but he is often described as being of average height or slightly taller than his generation, estimated at around 5’8″ to 5’10”.
Net worth
Xi Jinping, President of China and General Secretary of the Communist Party, has a reported net worth that varies widely based on different sources. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth is officially estimated at around $1 million.
However, some claims and investigations suggest that his actual wealth could be much higher, with estimates as high as $1.2 billion or more. These figures often indicate hidden assets managed through agents in international markets.
Despite being the leader of the world’s second-largest economy, Xi Jinping still earns a base annual salary of about 152,121 yuan, or $22,000. This relatively modest income fits with the Communist Party’s policies of simplification and anti-corruption.
