Misplaced Pages

#113886

170-632: The CFC was established in 2023 under CCP general secretary Xi Jinping after wide-ranging reforms to change the party and state structures, together with the Central Financial Work Commission . According to Chinese state media , the new body would strengthen the CCP's "centralized and unified leadership over financial work". The CFC oversaw the dissolution of the Financial Stability and Development Committee (FSDC),

340-653: A State Council body established in 2017, with FSDC's office being absorbed into the CFC. The CFC began operations in late September. The CFC Office has drawn personnel from other financial institutions such as the People’s Bank of China , the Ministry of Finance , and the National Development and Reform Commission . The CFC's role is to broadly oversee the country's financial system, enhancing CCP control over

510-453: A worker-peasant-soldier student , Xi rose through the ranks politically in China's coastal provinces. Xi was governor of Fujian from 1999 to 2002, before becoming governor and party secretary of neighboring Zhejiang from 2002 to 2007. Following the dismissal of the party secretary of Shanghai, Chen Liangyu , Xi was transferred to replace him for a brief period in 2007. He subsequently joined

680-602: A "modern socialist city" by 2050. Zhou Yongkang Zhou Yongkang (born December 3, 1942) is a former senior leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He was a member of the 17th Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), China's highest decision-making body, and the Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission ( Zhengfawei ) between 2007 and 2012, making him one of

850-408: A big gap for Xi as a teenager. He once recalled that he had to overcome "five hurdles" ( flea , food, life, labor and thought hurdle), and the experience led him to feel affinity with the rural poor. After a few months, unable to stand rural life, he ran away to Beijing. He was arrested during a crackdown on deserters from the countryside and sent to a work camp to dig ditches, but he later returned to

1020-585: A briefing session chaired by He Zai, the secretary-general of the Central Organization Department , Xi Jinping's strategic vision and comprehensive understanding of Zhengding County's development were highlighted. He Zai, along with Wei Jianxing , deputy head of the CCP Central Organization Department, communicated these findings to Hu Yaobang , describing Xi as a leader with a strategic outlook and

1190-629: A complex network of patronage. In 2007, Zhou was transferred to fill the vacancy from Luo Gan, who retired from his leadership position as central Zhengfawei chief. With this powerful position, Zhou also gained a spot on the Politburo Standing Committee, the highest council of Communist Party rulers. With the expansion of Zhengfawei authority in the preceding years, Zhou became the top official responsible for China's courts, law enforcement, prosecution agencies, paramilitary forces, and domestic intelligence agencies. Even though he

1360-592: A factory in Luoyang , Henan. In May 1966, the Cultural Revolution cut short Xi's secondary education when all secondary classes were halted for students to criticise and fight their teachers. Student militants ransacked the Xi family home and one of Xi's sisters, Xi Heping, "was persecuted to death." Later, his mother was forced to publicly denounce his father, as he was paraded before a crowd as an enemy of

1530-458: A fleet of limousines, and did not restrict traffic on the parts of the highway he travelled. Xi was elected president on 14 March 2013, in a confirmation vote by the 12th National People's Congress in Beijing. He received 2,952 for, one vote against, and three abstentions. He replaced Hu Jintao, who retired after serving two terms. On 17 March, Xi and his new ministers arranged a meeting with

1700-631: A former deputy party secretary in Sichuan; Jiang Jiemin , former chief executive of China Petroleum; Li Dongsheng , former deputy minister of Public Security; Ji Wenlin , Mayor of Haikou and Zhou's former secretary; and Li Chongxi, a high-ranking official in Sichuan province. His former secretaries (i.e., directors of his office, chief of staff) Li Hualin , Shen Dingcheng , and Guo Yongxiang were all detained. In December, Zhou, his son Zhou Bin and his daughter-in-law Huang Wan were taken into custody. The home of Zhou's younger brother Zhou Yuanxing ( 周元兴 )

1870-434: A head of fully gray hair, in contrast to his combed jet black hair dye he was known for prior to his retirement. Overseas media had compared Zhou's trial to that of Bo Xilai two years earlier, which was noted for being unusually open. In contrast to Bo, Zhou did not appear to dispute his charges. Bo, for the most part, denied his guilt and blamed much of the misdeeds he was accused of on his associates and his family. Zhou, on

SECTION 10

#1732775259114

2040-451: A higher standard, more comfortable living conditions, and a more beautiful environment." Xi also vowed to tackle corruption at the highest levels, alluding that it would threaten the CCP's survival; he was reticent about far-reaching economic reforms. In December 2012, Xi visited Guangdong in his first trip outside Beijing since taking the Party leadership. The overarching theme of the trip

2210-413: A highly influential force in provincial politics until the anti-corruption campaign at the end of 2012, which saw all of Zhou's proteges fall from grace. Zhou's political fate was subject to rife speculation in the lead-up to the 16th Party Congress held in the fall of 2002. Widely regarded as a rising political star, Zhou was said to be a leading candidate for Vice-Premier or entry into the top ranks of

2380-526: A key goal. In 2021, Xi declared a "complete victory" over extreme poverty, saying nearly 100 million have been lifted out of poverty under his tenure, though experts said China's poverty threshold was lower than that of the World Bank . In 2020, premier Li Keqiang, citing the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that China still had 600 million people living with less than 1000 yuan ($ 140)

2550-545: A leading post in the Zhengfawei . The intent of the reforms were to make decisions about policing, investigations, and the court system more efficient in an era of more pronounced social conflict. However, in practice the reforms gave party and government policy makers, who were not constitutionally empowered to serve day-to-day executive duties, an avenue to directly intervene in domestic security concerns, such as using force to crack down on "mass incidents". In addition, that

2720-432: A letter to the center government addressing the excessive requisitions that burdened local farmers. Their efforts successfully convinced the center government to reduce the annual requisition amount by 14 million kilograms. In 1983, Zhengding adjusted its agricultural structure, leading to a significant increase in farmers' incomes from 148 yuan to over 400 yuan in 1984, thoroughly solving the county's economic issues. As

2890-696: A member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee . He served as the Minister of Public Security from 2002 to 2007, before being promoted to the PSC. Zhou retired at the 18th Party Congress in 2012. In late 2013, Zhou was placed under investigation for alleged abuse of power and corruption , a decision state media announced in July 2014. Zhou was the first Politburo Standing Committee member – and

3060-654: A member of the company's senior executive team and was named deputy general manager. In March 1989, as part of the government's overall strategy to move oil production from east to west, Zhou led an oil and gas exploration and survey team to begin work in the Tarim Basin in the Xinjiang region of far-west China, near the city of Korla . In the mid-1990s, Zhou spearheaded CNPC's "go global" initiatives, winning bids for large projects in Sudan, Venezuela, and Kazakhstan. Zhou

3230-447: A month, although The Economist said the methodology NBS used was flawed. When Xi took office in 2012, 51% of people in China were living on less than $ 6.9 per day, in 2020 this had fallen 25%. China's economy has grown under Xi, doubling from $ 8.5 trillion in 2012 to $ 17.8 trillion in 2021, while China's nominal GDP per capita surpassed the world average in 2021, though growth has slowed from 8% in 2012 to 6% in 2019. Xi has stressed

3400-539: A more manageable level, but railing against corruption was also a proven instrument for political consolidation, and at the highest levels Xi has deployed it largely against his opponents. Geremie Barme, the historian who heads the Australian Centre on China in the World, analyzed the forty-eight most high-profile arrests, and discovered that none of them were second-generation reds ." In the days leading up to

3570-627: A name in the national media and drew the attention of China's top leaders. Between 2004 and 2007, Li Qiang acted as Xi's chief of staff through his position as secretary-general of the Zhejiang Party Committee , where they developed close mutual ties. Following the dismissal of Shanghai Party secretary Chen Liangyu in September 2006 due to a social security fund scandal , Xi was transferred to Shanghai in March 2007, where he

SECTION 20

#1732775259114

3740-597: A national campaign for xinfang petitioners to "speak directly with the police chief", aimed at creating a more effective means to address petitioner grievances. As part of this campaign, the number of petitions and their response rates were tied to financial and career advancement consequences for local officials. As a result, many local authorities hired thugs and private security firms to detain, harass, beat, or otherwise discourage petitioners from filing their grievances. It spawned an entire industry of private security firms specializing in petitioners, as well as an increase in

3910-458: A national security & law enforcement system that operated with no meaningful external oversight and operating independently from government organs and the party's collective leadership. As a result of his vast state security "empire" as well as strong remnants of his influence in the national oil sector and Sichuan, Zhou was ranked 29th in the 2011 Forbes list of the world's most powerful people . Chinese rights activists, such as members of

4080-405: A nationwide anti-corruption campaign. These included former and current regional officials, leading figures of state-owned enterprises and central government organs, and generals. Within the first two years of the campaign alone, over 200,000 officials received warnings, fines, and demotions. The campaign has led to the downfall of prominent incumbent and retired CCP officials, including members of

4250-417: A new form of productive forces derived from continuous sci-tech breakthroughs and innovation that drive strategic emerging and future industries in a more intelligent information era . Xi has been involved in the development of Xiong'an , a new area announced in 2017, planned to become a major metropolis near Beijing; the relocation aspect is estimated to last until 2035 while it is planned to developed into

4420-468: A party that was faced with pervasive corruption. Xi believed corruption at the higher levels of the CCP put the party and country at risk of collapse. Wang adds that Xi has a belief that only the CCP is capable of governing China, and that its collapse would be disastrous for the Chinese people. Xi and the new generational leaders reacted by launching the anti-corruption campaign to eliminate corruption at

4590-536: A reputation for dealing firmly with any signs of dissent – coming down hard on Tibetan groups and Falun Gong . Although Zhou left Sichuan to take up national leadership positions in Beijing in 2002, he cultivated a strong power base of patronage. The elite provincial political circles were stacked with Zhou's allies, the most notable being deputy provincial party committee Secretary Li Chongxi , Chengdu party boss Li Chuncheng , and chief administrator Guo Yongxiang . Indeed, Zhou's network of patronage in Sichuan remained

4760-408: A result of the wealth imbalance created by the post-Mao era economic reform policies. At the turn of the century, "mass incidents" – a catch-all euphemism that could refer to any organized or spontaneous protests of social, political, economic, or religious nature – had become commonplace across the country. In response, Beijing mandated sweeping structural reforms that significantly elevated

4930-475: A seminar to instruct them to avoid writing about politics, the CCP, or making statements contradicting official narratives. Many bloggers stopped writing about controversial topics, and Weibo went into decline, with much of its readership shifting to WeChat users speaking to limited social circles. In 2017, telecommunications carriers were instructed to block individuals' use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by February 2018. Political observers have called Xi

5100-513: A series of powerful posts in the party and government within the span of a few months, including membership in the Politburo , State Councilor , Deputy Zhengfawei Secretary, First Political Commissar of the People's Armed Police (China's paramilitary police force), and Secretary of the party's Central Secretariat (the party's internal policy execution and coordination body). Zhou's assuming

5270-420: A severe reversal of progress." Several leaked U.S. diplomatic cables from Wikileaks have alleged Zhou's involvement in Beijing's cyber attack against Google , though the claim's veracity has been questioned. Other cables said it was "well-known" that Zhou Yongkang controlled the state monopoly of the oil sector. Zhou also served as China's 'high representative' in matters relating to North Korea, attending

Central Financial Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue

5440-734: A strong alliance ideology between workers and peasants. In 1985, Xi participated in a study tour on corn processing and traveled to Iowa , US, to study agricultural production and corn processing technology. During his visit to the U.S., the CCP Central Organization Department decided to transfer him to Xiamen as a member of the Standing Committee of the CCP Xiamen Municipal Committee and as vice mayor. Arriving in Xiamen as vice-mayor in June 1985, Xi drafted

5610-460: A study that no " Princelings " have been investigated in the anti-corruption campaign. He Pin (何频), the chief editor of the overseas Chinese news portal Mingjing , went one step further and asserted plainly that Zhou fell because he was engaged in a political conspiracy to depose Xi Jinping. In contrast, The New York Times did not speculate on political reasons behind Zhou's arrest, simply writing that ordinary Chinese people may be alarmed that

5780-515: A subsidiary of Sinopec . His visit to Suzhou High School also marked his final pilgrimage to his hometown. During this visit, Zhou suggested that it might be his last visit home. At his visit to the China University of Petroleum campus, Zhou publicly 'pledged his allegiance' to Xi Jinping , China's new leader, rallying students to unite behind Xi to pursue the " Chinese Dream ". The new party leadership under Xi reportedly began planning

5950-799: A third term in March 2023. Xi Jinping was born on 15 June 1953 in Beijing , the third child of Xi Zhongxun and his second wife Qi Xin . After the founding of the PRC in 1949, Xi's father held a series of posts, including the chief of the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party , vice-premier , and vice chairperson of the National People's Congress . Xi had two older sisters, Qiaoqiao , born in 1949 and An'an ( 安安 ; Ān'ān ), born in 1952. Xi's father

6120-510: A top provincial office for the first time in his career. In 2002, he was elected a full member of the 16th Central Committee , marking his ascension to the national stage. While in Zhejiang, Xi presided over reported growth rates averaging 14% per year. During this period, Zhejiang increasingly transitioned away from heavy industry. His career in Zhejiang was marked by a tough and straightforward stance against corrupt officials. This earned him

6290-787: A tour of Latin America, visiting Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Malta, after which he returned to China. On 11 February 2009, while visiting Mexico, Xi spoke in front of a group of overseas Chinese and explained China's contributions during the international financial crisis, saying that it was "the greatest contribution towards the whole of human race, made by China, to prevent its 1.3 billion people from hunger." He went on to remark: "There are some bored foreigners, with full stomachs, who have nothing better to do than point fingers at us. First, China doesn't export revolution; second, China doesn't export hunger and poverty; third, China doesn't come and cause you headaches. What more

6460-475: A very poor grasp of what Xi was actually trying to achieve, and that Zhou's downfall was, but a small element of a larger campaign by Xi Jinping to clean up the party, institutionalize power structures, and re-build the party's legitimacy. According to The New Yorker profile of Xi, "corruption had become so threatening to the Party’s legitimacy that only the most isolated leader could have avoided forcing it back to

6630-572: A visit by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger . Hu Jintao was reportedly fully supportive of investigating Zhou prior to the power transition to Xi Jinping at the 18th Party Congress. Zhou himself reportedly sought two audiences with Xi, during which he discussed his contributions to the country and attempted to plead clemency, to no avail. In August 2013, the Party began a corruption investigation into Zhou. A number of Zhou's former subordinates who were then in high-ranking positions were sacked in quick succession. These included Li Chuncheng,

6800-497: Is a Chinese politician who has been the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and thus the paramount leader of China, since 2012. Xi has been serving as the 7th and current president of China since 2013. As a member of the fifth generation of Chinese leadership , Xi is the first CCP general secretary born after the establishment of

6970-501: Is also sometimes called the "pilot at the helm" ( 领航掌舵 ). On 25 December 2019, the Politburo officially named Xi as "People's Leader" ( 人民领袖 ; rénmín lǐngxiù ), a title only Mao had held previously. Xi was initially seen as a market reformist, and a central committee under him announced "market forces" would begin to play a "decisive" role in allocating resources. This meant that the state would gradually reduce its involvement in

Central Financial Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue

7140-481: Is there to be said?" The story was reported on some local television stations. The news led to a flood of discussions on Chinese Internet forums and it was reported that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs was caught off-guard by Xi's remarks, as the actual video was shot by some accompanying Hong Kong reporters and broadcast on Hong Kong TV, which then turned up on various Internet video websites. In

7310-549: The Weiquan movement , were especially critical of Zhou's tenure as China's security chief. Civil rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang criticized Zhou in a public lecture at Hong Kong University in December 2011. Two years later, Pu wrote on his microblog that Zhou "brought great disaster and inflicted great suffering on the country and its people." Pu wrote that the weiwen policies spearheaded by Zhou had severely undermined progress in

7480-531: The Arirang Festival as a guest of Kim Jong-il before Kim died in 2011. In February 2012, former Chongqing police chief Wang Lijun made an abrupt and unexpected visit to the United States consulate in the city of Chengdu. The event set off a political storm which eventually resulted in the ouster of Chongqing party committee secretary Bo Xilai . Bo, considered a political ally of Zhou,

7650-584: The CCP constitution and the re-election of Xi as general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the CMC for a third term, with the overall result of the Congress being further strengthening of Xi's power. Xi's re-election made him the first party leader since Mao Zedong to be chosen for a third term, though Deng Xiaoping ruled the country informally for a longer period. The new Politburo Standing Committee elected just after

7820-526: The China National Petroleum Corporation 's (CNPC) largest oil fields. Zhou was seen as a hard-working and emotionally mature presence to his colleagues; he did not drink or smoke, and would rarely speak based on script. He would reputedly talk unscripted for hours on end while keeping his colleagues engaged. At Liaohe, Zhou met Wang Shuhua ( Chinese : 王淑华 ), a factory worker from Hebei province, whom he later married. As

7990-534: The Chinese New Year holiday period, which is a time traditionally reserved for family reunions. Instead, Zhou would visit his colleagues who were working in harsh winter conditions in remote areas. Beginning in the 1970s, Zhou would gain rapid career advancement. He owed much of his career growth to his mentors from the Beijing Institute of Petroleum, who were working in executive positions at

8160-462: The Cultural Revolution ensnared Beijing's higher education institutions. Zhou was told by the authorities to "wait for an assignment" while the political struggles wreaked havoc on China's universities. He waited for a year. He joined geological survey work in north-east China in 1967, assigned to become an intern technician at factory No. 673 at the Daqing oil field. In 1970, Zhou was promoted to lead

8330-594: The European Union , Xi visited Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania from 7 to 21 October 2009. He visited Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, and Myanmar on his Asian trip from 14 to 22 December 2009. He later visited the United States, Ireland and Turkey in February 2012. This visit included meeting with then U.S. president Barack Obama at the White House and vice president Joe Biden (with Biden as

8500-628: The Mount Emei scenic region to attract more visitors. Zhou also improved public safety in the province, for example, by enacting policies that aimed to reduce accidents in the province's water lanes. On October 20, 2000, in the spirit of attracting investment for economic development, Zhou hosted visiting Chinese and international dignitaries and businesspeople at the China Western Forum held in Chengdu. While in Sichuan, he gained

8670-650: The Nelson Mandela class of persons. A person with enormous emotional stability who does not allow his personal misfortunes or sufferings affect his judgment. In other words, he is impressive." Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson described Xi as "the kind of guy who knows how to get things over the goal line." Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said that Xi "has sufficient reformist, party and military background to be very much his own man." In February 2009, in his capacity as vice-president, Xi embarked on

SECTION 50

#1732775259114

8840-791: The Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) of the CCP the same year and was the first-ranking secretary of the Central Secretariat in October 2007. In 2008, he was designated as Hu Jintao 's presumed successor as paramount leader. Towards this end, Xi was appointed vice president of the PRC and vice chairman of the CMC . He officially received the title of leadership core from the CCP in 2016. While overseeing China's domestic policy, Xi has introduced far-ranging measures to enforce party discipline and strengthen internal unity. His anti-corruption campaign led to

9010-596: The Sanfang Qixiang in Fuzhou, advanced urban renewal initiatives, and effectively addressed the issue of poverty alleviation on Pingtan Island . In 1995, Xi Jinping was elevated to deputy secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and served as Governor of Fujian from 1999 to 2002, during which he presented the notion of " Megalopolises " and advocated for

9180-558: The Shanghai Free-Trade Zone in 2013, which was seen as part of the economic reforms. However, by 2017, Xi's promise of economic reforms was said to have stalled by experts. In 2015, the Chinese stock market bubble popped , which led Xi to use state forces to fix it. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the market value of private sector firms in China's top listed companies increased from 10% to over 40%. He has overseen

9350-584: The Wang Lijun incident , which opened the door for Xi to come to power without challengers. Xi is considered one of the most successful members of the Princelings, a quasi-clique of politicians who are descendants of early Chinese Communist revolutionaries. Former prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew , when asked about Xi, said he felt he was "a thoughtful man who has gone through many trials and tribulations." Lee also commented: "I would put him in

9520-465: The Zhengfawei , which normally oversaw government policy in the courts, prosecution agencies, criminal legislation, paramilitary forces, and internal intelligence services, had combined jurisdiction over executive police organs meant that Zhengfawei chiefs held immense and largely unchecked legislative, executive, and judicial powers. As Minister of Public Security, Zhou was seen as China's "national police chief". He undertook significant reforms of

9690-421: The chief executive of Hong Kong , CY Leung , confirming his support for Leung. Within hours of his election, Xi discussed cyber security and North Korea with U.S. President Barack Obama over the phone. Obama announced the visits of treasury and state secretaries Jack Lew and John F. Kerry to China the following week. "To speak the truth" means to focus on the nature of things, to speak frankly, and follow

9860-508: The leadership core of the CCP, he had been referred to as Xi Dada ( 习大大 , Uncle or Papa Xi), though this stopped in April 2016. The village of Liangjiahe, where Xi was sent to work, is decorated with propaganda and murals extolling the formative years of his life. The CCP's Politburo named Xi Jinping lingxiu ( 领袖 ), a reverent term for "leader" and a title previously only given to Mao Zedong and his immediate successor Hua Guofeng . He

10030-431: The party and national constitutions . As the central figure of the fifth generation of leadership of the PRC, Xi has centralized institutional power by taking on multiple positions, including new CCP committees on national security, economic and social reforms, military restructuring and modernization, and the internet. In October 2022, Xi secured a third term as CCP General Secretary, and was re-elected state president for

10200-420: The "Chinese Dream." "This dream can be said to be the dream of a strong nation. And for the military, it is a dream of a strong military," Xi told sailors. Xi's trip was significant in that he departed from the established convention of Chinese leaders' travel routines in multiple ways. Rather than dining out, Xi and his entourage ate regular hotel buffet. He travelled in a large van with his colleagues rather than

10370-490: The 18th Party Congress held in November 2012, an event which saw Xi Jinping ascend to become General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party , China's paramount leader . In a significant change to China's top ruling council, Zhou's Political and Legal Affairs Commission portfolio did not feature in the new Standing Committee at all; instead, the committee had shrunk to its pre-2002 size of seven instead of nine members. This

SECTION 60

#1732775259114

10540-636: The 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 60th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 2009, and Expo 2010 in Shanghai. At around this time, " weiwen " (维稳; roughly, "protecting stability") became a top political priority of the Chinese government. Zhou headed the national weiwen task force, overseeing law enforcement, suppression of dissent, state surveillance, and combating separatist movements in Xinjiang and Tibet. By 2011, during

10710-691: The Bo trial became "out of control" as Bo made many shocking revelations during the deliberation of his trial which became tabloid fodder and led to many rumours circulating on social media, making the authorities more risk averse to do the same with Zhou. Zhou's son Zhou Bin absconded to the US in early 2013, and returned after negotiations with Chinese authorities. In June 2016, Zhou Bin was found guilty of taking 222 million yuan ($ 34m) in bribes and illegally trading in restricted commodities, and 350 million yuan ($ 53m) of illicit gains were confiscated; Zhou's wife, Jia Xiaoyue,

10880-772: The CCP Congress was filled almost completely with people close to Xi, with four out of the seven members of the previous PSC stepping down. Xi was further re-elected as the PRC president and chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission on 10 March 2023 during the opening of the 14th National People's Congress , while Xi ally Li Qiang succeeded Li Keqiang as the Premier. Xi has had a cult of personality constructed around himself since entering office with books, cartoons, pop songs and dance routines honouring his rule. Following Xi's ascension to

11050-410: The CCP. His administration pursued a debt-deleveraging campaign, seeking to slow and cut the unsustainable amount of debt China has accrued during its growth. Xi's administration has promoted " Made in China 2025 " plan that aims to make China self-reliant in key technologies, although publicly China de-emphasised this plan due to the outbreak of a China–United States trade war . Since the outbreak of

11220-469: The CMC—which have no term limits. However, Xi did not say whether he intended to be party general secretary, CMC chairman and state president, for three or more terms. In its sixth plenary session in November 2021, CCP adopted a historical resolution , a kind of document that evaluated the party's history. This was the third of its kind after ones adopted by Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. In comparison with

11390-539: The CYLC, saying that [these cadres] can't talk about science, literature and art, work or life [with young people]. All they can do is just repeat the same old bureaucratic, stereotypical talk." In 2018, the National People's Congress (NPC) passed constitutional amendments including removal of term limits for the president and vice president, the creation of a National Supervisory Commission , as well as enhancing

11560-498: The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission ( Zhengfawei ). The central government was also in need of a tough and uncompromising figure to take reins of China's security system in the post-9/11 global security paradigm. With his quasi-military style training in the oil sector and a reputation for being able to make tough decisions, Zhou got the nod to become Minister of Public Security in December 2002. He also earned

11730-752: The Hong Kong–based Apple Daily , Zhou's eldest son made more than US$ 1.6 billion from public works in the city of Chongqing alone. He also supposedly used his father's prominence to extort millions of dollars in protection fees from various businesses and organizations. Zhou was reportedly being held in confinement without visitation rights in a heavily guarded facility on a military base near Baotou , Inner Mongolia. By March 2014, Chinese authorities were reported to have seized assets worth at least 90 billion yuan ($ 14.5 billion) from Zhou's family members and associates. By spring 2014, it became increasingly clear that Zhou's spheres of influence –

11900-593: The Liaohe exploration team grew, Zhou eventually became responsible for over 2,300 employees in his department. His work consisted mainly of leading teams to unexplored, barren territory to conduct site surveys to assess the potential for future oil drilling. He was known to be great at maintaining good interpersonal relationships with his superiors and subordinates, and gained significant personal clout. During some years, Zhou did not go back to his home in Jiangsu even during

12070-435: The Liaohe oil fields at the time. In particular the university's president was known to be fond of Zhou's skills and was eager to promote him. In 1983, with the director of the Liaohe Oil Field Management Bureau being transferred for a job in Beijing, Zhou was promoted to manage day-to-day affairs of the oil field . Moreover, given the oil field's prominence in the municipal affairs of the city of Panjin, Zhou became concurrently

12240-623: The Mayor of Panjin and the city's deputy party secretary. Zhou's stint as mayor was his first major role in government. In 1985, Zhou Yongkang left Liaoning for Beijing to become the Deputy Minister of Petroleum Industry. In 1988, the ministry later folded and became a state-owned enterprise , the predecessor of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China's largest energy company. Zhou became

12410-667: The Municipal Committee Secretary. In 1997, he was named an alternate member of the 15th CCP Central Committee . In 1999, he was promoted to the office of Vice Governor of Fujian, and became governor a year later. Xi proposed the concept of the Golden Triangle at Min River ( Chinese : 闽江口金三角经济圈 ) and oversaw the construction of the Fuzhou 3820 Project Master Plan, which outlines Fuzhou City's growth strategy for 3, 8, and 20 years. He concentrated on

12580-515: The National Surveying and Mapping Bureau. As minister, Zhou, upon finding that his staff did not have adequate housing, initiated a housing construction program for the department's engineers and senior technical staff. In 2000, Zhou became Party Secretary of Sichuan , the province's top political office . Sichuan was China's second most populous province at the time. Prior to Zhou, most of Sichuan's provincial leaders originated from

12750-503: The PSC. Xi's anti-corruption campaign is seen by critics, such as The Economist , as a political tool to remove potential opponents and consolidate power. Xi's establishment of a new anti-corruption agency, the National Supervision Commission, ranked higher than the supreme court, has been described by Amnesty International as a "systemic threat to human rights" that "places tens of millions of people at

12920-447: The People's Republic of China (PRC). The son of Chinese communist veteran Xi Zhongxun , Xi was exiled to rural Yanchuan County as a teenager following his father's purge during the Cultural Revolution . He lived in a yaodong in the village of Liangjiahe, Shaanxi province , where he joined the CCP after several failed attempts and worked as the local party secretary . After studying chemical engineering at Tsinghua University as

13090-748: The State Council and the General Office of the CPC Central Military Commission, where he served as one of three secretaries to Geng Biao , a member of the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau and Minister of Defense. On March 25, 1982, Xi was appointed deputy party secretary of Zhengding County in Hubei. Together with Lü Yulan ( 吕玉兰 ), the other deputy party secretary of Zhengding, Xi wrote

13260-556: The Wang Lijun scandal, a decision which Zhou alone was said to have resisted. In 2015, Hong Kong–based media Phoenix Weekly reported that Zhou Yongkang and Bo Xilai had a secret meeting in Chongqing, which both two believe they should end Deng Xiaoping 's reform and opening-up policy and reinstate Mao Zedong 's policy during Cultural Revolution . In the days following Bo Xilai's fall, rumours circulated about Zhou's break with

13430-525: The Zhou household when he married, Zhou Yongkang's father took on his wife's surname and became known as Zhou Yisheng (周义生). Zhou was the eldest of three sons. Zhou's family was poor; his family made a living farming and fishing the Asian swamp eel . Zhou was sent to school with the financial assistance of his family friends. In 1954, Zhou was enrolled at one of the two top middle schools in the eastern Wuxi area. It

13600-515: The anticipated trial, Supreme Court President Zhou Qiang (of no relation) told an assembled international press conference that Zhou Yongkang's trial would be "open and in accordance with the law." In April 2015, Zhou Yongkang was formally charged with abuse of power, bribery, and intentionally leaking state secrets, and scheduled to face trial at the Tianjin First Intermediate People's Court. Overseas Chinese media

13770-489: The assembled press gallery burst into laughter. On July 29, 2014, state media formally announced an internal party investigation against Zhou Yongkang's "violations of party discipline", but did not mention any criminal wrongdoing. Several months later, the party investigation concluded that Zhou abused his power for the illicit gain of his family, friends, and associates, took "large amounts in bribes personally and through his family and associates; abused his power to further

13940-469: The central role of the CCP. Xi was reappointed as president, now without term limits, while Li Keqiang was reappointed premier. According to the Financial Times , Xi expressed his views of constitutional amendment at meetings with Chinese officials and foreign dignitaries. Xi explained the decision in terms of needing to align two more powerful posts—general secretary of the CCP and chairman of

14110-458: The city, especially pro-democracy activists . Since coming to power, Xi's tenure has witnessed a significant increase in censorship and mass surveillance , a deterioration in human rights (e.g. the internment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang ), the rise of a cult of personality around his leadership, and the removal of term limits for the presidency in 2018. Xi's political ideas and principles, known as Xi Jinping Thought , have been incorporated into

14280-476: The community expressed a desire to keep him there. However, after Liangjiahe Village advocated for his return, Xi went back in July that same year. Liang Yuming ( 梁玉明 ) and Liang Youhua ( 梁有华 ), the village branch secretaries, supported his application to the Chinese Communist Party. Yet, due to his father, Xi Zhongxun, still facing political persecution, the application was initially blocked by higher authorities. Despite submitting ten applications, it wasn't until

14450-619: The company's subsidiary PetroChina . In October 1997, Zhou gained a seat on the Central Committee of the Communist Party , a leadership assembly of some 200 top political figures of the party. In March 1998, Zhou was elevated to become Minister of Land and Resources in Premier Zhu Rongji 's cabinet. The "mega-ministry" was created after a merger of the formerly separate Ministry of Geology and Mining, Administration of National Land, National Administration of Oceans, and

14620-504: The concept of internet sovereignty . The censorship of Misplaced Pages has been stringent; in April 2019, all versions of Misplaced Pages were blocked. Likewise, the situation for users of Weibo has been described as a change from fearing one's account would be deleted, to fear of arrest. A law enacted in 2013 authorized a three-year prison term for bloggers who shared more than 500 times any content considered "defamatory." The State Internet Information Department summoned influential bloggers to

14790-543: The country's policing system, which not only faced external pressures from a deteriorating domestic security situation, but also internal dissent due to stagnant wages and lack of resources. Zhou set out mandating the construction of new office buildings to serve as police headquarters and provided modern housing for officers. He also implemented a wide array of disciplinary regulations, including making offenses such as using firearms outside of work duties, drinking and driving, and gambling during work hours causes for dismissal. He

14960-403: The crackdown on Zhou beginning in 2012. Xi's 'tough talk' on corruption began immediately after his ascension to the post of General Secretary. In his first days in office, Xi vowed to crack down on "tigers and flies", meaning extremely powerful officials as well as petty ones. Xi moved quickly to set a new standard for expected behavior of party officials, issuing a series of guidelines to clean up

15130-445: The deputy secretary position at the Zhengfawei meant that his status in the Chinese domestic security system was second only to Politburo Standing Committee member Luo Gan . Zhou was the first Minister of Public Security to hold a Politburo seat since Mao's successor Hua Guofeng , a testament to the renewed importance of the domestic security portfolio. This was partially attributed to the increasingly sharp social conflict in China as

15300-632: The development of Changle International Airport , the Min River Water Transfer Project , the Fuzhou Telecommunication Hub , and Fuzhou Port , among others. He concentrated on attracting Taiwanese and foreign investment, establishing Southwest TPV Electronics and Southeast Automobile in Fuzhou, and fostering Fuyao Glass , Newland Digital Technology and other manufacturing firms. Furthermore, he rehabilitated local cultural landmarks, including as

15470-701: The development of the first strategic plan for the city, the Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy for 1985–2000. From August, Along with helping to prepare Xiamen Airlines , the Xiamen Economic Information Center, and the Xiamen Special Administrative Region Road Project, etc, he oversaw the resolution for Yundang Lake 's comprehensive treatments. He married Peng Liyuan then in Xiamen. He started serving as

15640-409: The distribution of capital, and restructure state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to allow further competition, potentially by attracting foreign and private sector players in industries previously highly regulated. This policy aimed to address the bloated state sector that had unduly profited from re-structuring by purchasing assets at below-market prices, assets no longer being used productively. Xi launched

15810-519: The downfall of prominent incumbent and retired CCP officials, including former PSC member Zhou Yongkang . For the sake of promoting " common prosperity ", Xi has enacted a series of policies designed to increase equality, overseen targeted poverty alleviation programs, and directed a broad crackdown in 2021 against the tech and tutoring sectors. Furthermore, he has expanded support for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), advanced military-civil fusion , and attempted to reform China's property sector. Following

15980-428: The embryonic stage." In that year, some 130,000 "mass incidents" of protest and violence were reported around the country, mostly caused by official corruption, environmental degradation, and social security issues. Incidences of police brutality increased, and in many cases police involvement in popular protests exacerbated underlying problems and led to further violence. Towards the end of his term, Zhou presided over

16150-416: The eyes of the law." It said that Zhou "betrayed the essence and mission of the party" and that "corruption in the party is like fire and water." Media outlets outside of mainland China speculated about the political reasons behind Zhou's downfall. The Economist compared Zhou's fall with earlier internecine struggles in the party and noted Xi's anti-corruption campaign had "apparent factional bias", quoting

16320-643: The filming base of Dream of the Red Mansions in Zhengding and secured 3.5 million yuan to build Rongguo Mansion, which significantly boosted the county's tourism industry, generating 17.61 million yuan in revenue that year. Additionally, Xi invited prominent figures such as Hua Luogeng , Yu Guangyuan , Pan Chengxiao to visit Zhengding, which eventually led to the development of the county's "semi-urban" strategy, leveraging its proximity to Shijiazhuang for diverse business growth. In September 1984, during

16490-423: The formation of "centrally-dispatched inspection teams". These were cross-jurisdictional squads whose task was to gain understanding of the operations of provincial and local party organizations, and enforce party discipline mandated by Beijing. Work teams had the effect of identifying and initiating investigations of high-ranking officials. Over one hundred provincial-ministerial level officials were implicated during

16660-553: The fuel shortages in his village, he traveled to Mianyang to learn about biogas digesters. Upon returning, he successfully implemented the technology in Liangjiahe, marking a breakthrough in Shaanxi Province that soon spread throughout the region. Additionally, he led efforts to drill wells for water supply, establish iron industry cooperatives, reclaim land, plant flue-cured tobacco, and set up sales outlets to address

16830-649: The geological survey division of a local department charged with carrying out an ambitious petroleum drilling initiative set out by the Party's top leadership. Zhou worked in the oil industry from 1967 to 1998. In 1973, Zhou Yongkang was promoted to head the Geophysical Exploration Department of the Liaohe Petroleum Exploration Bureau , located in Panjin , Liaoning. Liaohe would eventually become one of

17000-503: The government deems as strategic. His administration made it easier for banks to issue mortgages , increased foreign participation in the bond market, and increased the national currency renminbi's global role, helping it to join IMF's basket of special drawing right . In 2018, he promised to continue reforms but warned nobody "can dictate to the Chinese people." Xi has made eradicating extreme poverty through targeted poverty alleviation

17170-506: The head of a region after being appointed just as the secretary of Ningde in September 1988. and Ningde's economy was far worse at that time than that of Fuzhou and Xiamen. Xi organized his work log and experience during his Ningde period into his book Getting out of Poverty , and handled the local poverty eradicating efforts and local CCP building projects. The CCP Fujian Provincial Committee decided in May 1990 to assign Xi to Fuzhou City as

17340-749: The helm of a top-level CCP committee dubbed the 6521 Project , which was charged with ensuring social stability during a series of politically sensitive anniversaries in 2009. Xi's position as the apparent successor to become the paramount leader was threatened with the rapid rise of Bo Xilai , the party secretary of Chongqing at the time. Bo was expected to join the PSC at the 18th Party Congress , with most expecting that he would try to eventually maneuver himself into replacing Xi. Bo's policies in Chongqing inspired imitations throughout China and received praise from Xi himself during Xi's visit to Chongqing in 2010. Records of praises from Xi were later erased after he became paramount leader. Bo's downfall would come with

17510-409: The higher levels of the government. Since Xi became general secretary, censorship has stepped up. Chairing the 2018 China Cyberspace Governance Conference, Xi committed to "fiercely crack down on criminal offenses including hacking, telecom fraud, and violation of citizens' privacy." During a visit to Chinese state media, Xi stated that " party and government-owned media must hold the family name of

17680-508: The importance of "high-quality growth" rather than "inflated growth." He has stated China has abandoned a growth-at-all-costs strategy which Xi refers to as "GDP heroism." Instead, Xi said other social issues such as environmental protection are important. Xi has circulated a policy called " dual circulation ," meaning reorienting the economy towards domestic consumption while remaining open to foreign trade and investment. Xi has prioritised boosting productivity . Xi has attempted to reform

17850-663: The inter-island growth strategy of Fuzhou and Xiamen, which motivated local officials to swiftly overcome the repercussions of the Yuanhua smuggling case ( Chinese : 远华走私案 ) and adopt a new development strategy. Xi also oversaw the development of "Digital Fujian", including the province's complaint hotline into the "12345 Citizen Service Platform," so enhancing organizational efficiency. In 2002, Xi left Fujian and took up leading political positions in neighbouring Zhejiang. He eventually took over as provincial Party Committee secretary after several months as acting governor, occupying

18020-403: The interests of his family, mistresses, and associates; committed adultery with multiple women and engaged in the exchange of money and favours for sex; and leaked state and party secrets." State media announced Zhou's arrest to face criminal proceedings on December 5, 2014. He was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party. Zhou was the first Politburo Standing Committee member to be expelled from

18190-409: The legal system was once under the hands of a deeply corrupt politician. Duowei News expressed disappointment with mainstream Western media characterization of the event as "yet another political purge", asserting that seeing modern China, particularly the post-Xi Communist Party, as rife with political intrigue and full of backroom deals is imprecise and naive. Duowei stated that Western media had

18360-485: The legal system, and a restoration of the Zhengfawei in a policy oversight role rather than being an executive organ, which had been the case under Zhou. In 2013, Zhou appeared in public three times. He visited his alma maters, Suzhou High School and the China University of Petroleum in April and October, respectively; on June 23, Zhou visited the Zibo , Shandong –based Qilu Petrochemicals Company ( Chinese : 齐鲁石化公司 ),

18530-420: The line of the central leadership. Xi was appointed to the nine-man PSC at the 17th Party Congress in October 2007. He was ranked above Li Keqiang , an indication that he was going to succeed Hu Jintao as China's next leader . In addition, Xi also held the first secretary of the CCP's Central Secretariat . This assessment was further supported at the 11th National People's Congress in March 2008, when Xi

18700-437: The meeting the members of China's ruling council reportedly exchanged differing viewpoints on Zhou. Eventually Xi Jinping and the other six members of the newly formed 18th Politburo Standing Committee came to consensus to investigate Zhou. Zhou's case was unprecedented, as no corruption investigation had ever been initiated against a member of the elite Politburo Standing Committee. The last PSC member to be ousted politically

18870-580: The mercy of a secretive and virtually unaccountable system that is above the law." Xi has overseen significant reforms of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), CCP's highest internal control institution. He and CCDI Secretary Wang Qishan further institutionalized CCDI's independence from the day-to-day operations of the CCP, improving its ability to function as a bona fide control body. According to The Wall Street Journal , anti-corruption punishment to officials at or above

19040-405: The most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, especially since the ending of presidential two-term limits in 2018. Xi has departed from the collective leadership practices of post-Mao predecessors. He has centralised his power and created working groups with himself at the head to subvert government bureaucracy, making himself become the unmistakable central figure of the administration. In

19210-416: The most powerful leaders in China. In that position, Zhou oversaw China's security apparatus and law enforcement institutions, with power stretching into courts, prosecution agencies, police forces, paramilitary forces, and intelligence organs. He was convicted of corruption-related charges in 2014 and expelled from the CCP in the same year. Zhou rose through the ranks of the CCP through his involvement in

19380-581: The most senior-ranked official – since the founding of the People's Republic of China to be tried and convicted of corruption-related charges. Following his investigation, Zhou was expelled from the CCP. On June 11, 2015, Zhou was convicted of bribery, abuse of power and the intentional disclosure of state secrets by the Intermediate Court in Tianjin . Zhou and his family members were said to have taken 129 million yuan (over $ 20 million) in bribes. He

19550-586: The new commune secretary, Bai Guangxing ( 白光兴 ), recognized Xi's capabilities that his application was forwarded to the CCP Yanchuan County Committee and approved in early 1974. Around that time, as Liangjiahe village underwent leadership changes, Xi was recommended to become the Party branch chairman of the Liangjiahe Brigade. After taking office, Xi noted that Mianyang , Sichuan was using biogas technology and, given

19720-462: The number of extrajudicial detention centres known as " black jails ". With increased resources at the disposal of police departments and a higher concentration of power, law enforcement agencies often found itself at odds with public interest; public trust in domestic security organs eroded. Zhou's time as the top official in Sichuan, the oil sector, and Public Security Minister earned him significant leadership experience and personal clout, as well as

19890-508: The official host); and stops in California and Iowa . In Iowa, he met with the family that previously hosted him during his 1985 tour as a Hebei provincial official. A few months before his ascendancy to the party leadership, Xi disappeared from official media coverage and cancelled meeting with foreign officials for several weeks beginning on 1 September 2012, causing rumors. He then reappeared on 15 September. On 15 November 2012, Xi

20060-561: The oil and gas industry, starting as a technician on the Daqing Oil Field during the Cultural Revolution . He was at the helm of the China National Petroleum Corporation between 1996 and 1998, then became Minister of Land and Natural Resources until 1999, and subsequently Party Secretary of Sichuan , then China's second most populous province. Zhou was a State Councilor of the State Council from 2003 to 2008 and also

20230-530: The oil sector, Sichuan, the legal system, and his family members – were being methodically rounded up for investigation. However, in the absence of any official reports on Zhou himself, Chinese and international media became rife with speculation about his fate. At a press conference during the March 2014 national meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference , a reporter from Hong Kong–based South China Morning Post directly asked

20400-535: The onset of COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China , he initially presided over a zero-COVID policy from January 2020 to December 2022 before ultimately shifting towards a mitigation strategy . Xi has pursued a more aggressive foreign policy, particularly with regard to China's relations with the U.S. , the nine-dash line in the South China Sea , and the Sino-Indian border dispute . Additionally, for

20570-495: The operational control of the party's Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission to Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu due to his support for Bo Xilai, and had lost his right to select his successor when he retires from the Politburo Standing Committee in the fall of 2012. The New York Times later reported that Zhou's status remained unchanged. At around the same time, a group of provincial party veterans from Yunnan province penned an open letter to Hu Jintao calling for

20740-556: The opinion of at least one political scientist, Xi "has surrounded himself with cadres he met while stationed on the coast, Fujian and Shanghai and in Zhejiang." Observers have said that Xi has seriously diluted the influence of the once-dominant " Tuanpai ," also called the Youth League Faction, which were CCP officials who rose through the Communist Youth League (CYLC). He criticized the cadres of

20910-416: The other five members were new. In a marked departure from the common practice of Chinese leaders, Xi's first speech as general secretary was plainly worded and did not include any political slogans or mention his predecessors. Xi mentioned the aspirations of the average person, remarking, "Our people ... expect better education, more stable jobs, better income, more reliable social security, medical care of

21080-448: The other hand, said that "they tried to bribe my family, but really they were after my power. I should assume major responsibility for this". State-run news agency Xinhua said that the trial took place in secret because state secrets were involved in the case. However, it was also likely that Zhou's trial was not open to the public as a result of the sensitivity of the subject matter and its political implications. Observers also cited that

21250-422: The other historical resolutions, Xi's one did not herald a major change in how the CCP evaluated its history. To accompany the historical resolution, the CCP promoted the terms Two Establishes and Two Safeguards , calling the CCP to unite around and protect Xi's core status within the party. The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party , held between 16 and 22 October 2022, has overseen amendments in

21420-427: The party " ( 党和政府主办的媒体必须姓党 ) and that the state media "must embody the party's will, safeguard the party's authority." His administration has overseen more Internet restrictions imposed, and is described as being "stricter across the board" on speech than previous administrations. Xi has taken a strong stand to control internet usage inside China, including Google and Facebook , advocating Internet censorship under

21590-462: The party bureaucracy. Xi may have also been concerned that Zhou might use his influence and power to turn various state security entities into tools for advancing his interests, and in the process undermine the central authority of the state. Discussions surrounding the Zhou case took place in the summer of 2013. In June, the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party held a four-day-long conference in Beijing specifically to discuss Zhou Yongkang. During

21760-466: The party leadership as well as a "coup d'etat" on March 19. Unconfirmed reports surfaced on the U.K. based Sunday Times , citing Hong Kong magazine Frontline ( 《前哨》 ), that the paramilitary forces under Zhou's disposal had narrowly avoided direct conflict with the 38th Army in the center of Beijing. Outwardly, Zhou appeared to be toeing the party line between March 2012 and his scheduled retirement in November. For example, several days after Bo Xilai

21930-553: The party since the fall of the Gang of Four in 1980 at the conclusion of the Cultural Revolution. After the announcement of Zhou's expulsion from the party, the party's official newspaper People's Daily editorialized that Zhou's expulsion was part of the "strong resolve" to stamp out corruption in the party by General Secretary Xi Jinping. The editorial said the case demonstrated that the party saw "everyone as equal in

22100-420: The property sector to combat the steep increase in prices and cut the economy's dependence on it. In the 19th CCP National Congress, Xi declared "Houses are built to be inhabited, not for speculation." In 2020, Xi's government formulated the " three red lines " policy that aimed to deleverage the heavily indebted property sector. Xi has supported a property tax , for which he has faced resistance from members of

22270-492: The protection of human rights and rule of law, led to unprecedented levels of popular distrust of government authority, expanded the realm of party control in the lives of ordinary citizens, and ran counter to the spirit of the " Harmonious Society " ideology of the Hu-Wen administration. Former State Council functionary Yu Meisun (俞梅荪) said that Zhou's ten years in power were the "ten darkest years for law and order in history [...]

22440-432: The province. Zhou, an outsider, brought change to the province's political landscape. He spearheaded economic modernization policies and in particular focused on agricultural modernization. Sichuan was known to be a province highly dependent on agriculture, and its government operated at a slower pace compared to those of China's coastal regions. Zhou was known for his quick and efficient decision-making, significantly altering

22610-588: The relaxation of restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) and increased cross-border holdings of stocks and bonds. Xi has increased state control over the economy, voicing support for SOEs, while also supporting the private sector. CCP control of SOEs has increased, while limited steps towards market liberalization, such as increasing mixed ownership of SOEs were undertaken. Under Xi, "government guidance funds," public-private investment funds set up by or for government bodies, have raised more than $ 900 billion for early funding to companies that work in sectors

22780-444: The removal of Zhou Yongkang due to his support of Bo Xilai. The veterans voiced concerns that those supporting Bo intended to reinstate Mao-style policies in China. Zhou Yongkang retired from Politburo Standing Committee after the 18th Party Congress on 15 November 2012, and retired from Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission five days later, after which Meng Jianzhu succeeded Zhou's position. Zhou retired at

22950-679: The revolution. His father was later imprisoned in 1968 when Xi was aged 15. In 1968, Xi submitted an application to the Bayi School's Reform Committee and insisted on leaving Beijing for countryside. On January 13, 1969, they left Beijing and arrived in Liangjiahe Village, Yan'an , Shaanxi, alongside the Mao Zedong's Down to the Countryside Movement . The rural areas of Yan'an were very backward, which created

23120-623: The sake of advancing Chinese economic interests abroad, Xi has sought to expand China's influence in Africa and Eurasia by championing the Belt and Road Initiative . Despite meeting with Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou in 2015, Xi presided over a deterioration in relations between Beijing and Taipei under Ma's successor, Tsai Ing-wen . In 2020, Xi oversaw the passage of a national security law in Hong Kong which clamped down on political opposition in

23290-420: The school's political ideology group as well as the events promoting literacy. In 1961, after obtaining stellar results on his Gaokao exams, he was admitted to the Beijing Institute of Petroleum (now China University of Petroleum ) soon after, and became the pride of his village. He majored in geophysical survey and exploration. In November 1964, Zhou became a member of the Chinese Communist Party. In 1966,

23460-736: The secretary of the CCP Zhengding County Committee in July 1983, Xi initiated several development projects, including the development of "Nine Articles of Zhengding talents", the construction of Changshan Park, the restoration of the Longxing Temple , the formation of a tourism company, and the establishment of the Rongguo Mansion and Zhengding Table Tennis Base. He also persuaded the China Teleplay Production Center to set

23630-488: The sector. It oversees financial stability, funding for the real economy and the international use of the renminbi . It also has the mandate to manage financial planning and take action against systemic risks. The CFC includes a General Office that handles its day-to-day operations. The General Office is located at the Beijing Financial Street . Xi Jinping Xi Jinping (born 15 June 1953)

23800-402: The so-called " Chongqing model " unmatched by his other Standing Committee colleagues. Zhou lauded Bo's heavy-handed approach to reduce crime in the city, and praised Bo's style of state-driven, populist " mass movements " which had some characteristics of a Maoist-style political campaign. In March, the Standing Committee moved to remove Bo from his positions as a result of Bo being implicated in

23970-481: The spokesperson if he could provide more information on the rumours circulating about the Zhou Yongkang case. In response, the spokesman chuckled and said, "like you, I've seen some stories on a select few media outlets," he then recited a prepared party-line reply, then ended his response with a smile, "this is really all I can say in response to your question, I think you know what I mean." ( 你懂的 ) Afterwards,

24140-408: The state, was life in prison for bribery, seven years for abuse of power, and four years for "leaking state secrets". The court decided that Zhou could serve prison terms concurrently and amalgamated the sentences into one 'combined' life sentence. The total value of bribes taken by Zhou and his family was said to be 129.7 million yuan (~$ 18.87 million). State television showed Zhou pleading guilty with

24310-444: The status of Public Security organs across the country. Somewhat emulating Zhou's concurrently holding party and government posts in addition to his role as Minister of Public Security, the reforms carried out during Zhou's tenure called for provincial and local police chiefs (i.e., heads of Public Security organs) to also hold membership in local party leadership councils as well as leading government posts, and, more importantly, hold

24480-553: The trade war in 2018, Xi has revived calls for "self-reliance," especially on technology. Domestic spending on R&D has significantly increased, surpassing the European Union (EU) and reaching a record $ 564 billion in 2020. The Chinese government has supported technology companies like Huawei through grants, tax breaks, credit facilities and other assistance, enabling their rise but leading to US countermeasures. In 2023, Xi put forward new productive forces , this refers to

24650-434: The traditionally lax culture of the province's civil service. During Zhou's tenure in Sichuan, the province's GDP grew at an average rate of 9.5% a year. One of his major achievements was securing investments from large multinationals such as Intel . The company opened a new computer chip factory near Chengdu shortly after Zhou left his post in Sichuan. He also focused on improving tourism resources, significantly revamping

24820-493: The train, citing a loosely enforced party regulation that stipulated that special trains can only be reserved for "national leaders." While in Shanghai, he worked on preserving unity of the local party organisation. He pledged there would be no 'purges' during his administration, despite the fact many local officials were thought to have been implicated in the Chen Liangyu corruption scandal. On most issues, Xi largely echoed

24990-463: The truth. This is an important embodiment of a leading official's characteristics of truth seeking, embodying justice, devotion to public interests, and uprightness. Moreover, he highlighted that the premise of telling the truth is to listen to the truth. — Xi Jinping during a speech in 2012 Xi vowed to crack down on corruption immediately after he ascended to power. In his inaugural speech as general secretary, Xi mentioned that fighting corruption

25160-462: The unfolding of Arab Spring and the subsequent " Jasmine Revolution " movement, the national weiwen budget, valued at 624.4 billion yuan (US$ 95 billion), had exceeded the military budget for the first time in history. On February 20, 2011, Zhou said to assembled officials at a national security conference that law enforcement must "put together a comprehensive system to prevent disturbance and control social order, so that conflict can be resolved at

25330-540: The vice ministerial level need approval from Xi. The Wall Street Journal said that when he wants to neutralize a political rival, he asks inspectors to prepare pages of evidence. It also said he authorizes investigations on close associates of a high-ranking politician, to replace them with his proteges and puts rivals in less important positions to separate them from their political bases. Reportedly, these tactics have even been used against Wang Qishan, Xi's close friend. According to sinologist Wang Gungwu , Xi inherited

25500-406: The village's production and economic challenges. In 1975, when Yanchuan County was allocated a spot at Tsinghua University , the CCP Yanchuan County Committee recommended Xi Jinping for admission. From 1975 to 1979, Xi studied chemical engineering at Tsinghua University as a worker-peasant-soldier student in Beijing. After graduating in April 1979, Xi was assigned to the General Office of

25670-531: The village, under the persuasion of his aunt Qi Yun and uncle Wei Zhenwu. He worked as the party secretary of Liangjiahe, where he lived in a cave house . He then spent a total of seven years in Yanchuan . In 1973, Yanchuan County assigned Xi Jinping to Zhaojiahe Village in Jiajianping Commune to lead social education efforts. Due to his effective work and strong rapport with the villagers,

25840-513: The wake of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake , Xi visited disaster areas in Shaanxi and Gansu . He made his first foreign trip as vice president to North Korea, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen from 17 to 25 June 2008. After the Olympics, Xi was assigned the post of committee chair for the preparations of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the founding of the PRC. He was also reportedly at

26010-506: Was Zhao Ziyang in the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre , and the last PSC members to be put on trial were those of the Gang of Four following the Cultural Revolution. Owing to the far-reaching impact Zhou's case would have on the party as well as the potential for intra-party conflict, Xi also reportedly sought the blessing of former General Secretary Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao as well as other 'party elders'. Jiang

26180-479: Was also said to have fired several hundred police officers for drinking problems. Zhou held high-profile "mass study sessions" in an attempt to indoctrinate officers politically on party policies. He also instituted a nationwide "professional training boot camp" intended to streamline police operations and teach officers about professional ethics, making it mandatory for rank-and-file officers to take "professional training" for half of their working day. Zhou also began

26350-475: Was during this period that Zhou changed his name to "Yongkang" on the advice of his teacher, because there was another person in his class with an identical name. Zhou excelled at school, and was eventually accepted to enroll at the prestigious Suzhou High School , one of the most prominent secondary schools in the Jiangnan region. Zhou had good grades and was involved in extra-curricular activities, including

26520-504: Was elected as vice president of the PRC. Following his elevation, Xi held a broad range of portfolios. He was put in charge of the comprehensive preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, as well as being the central government's leading figure in Hong Kong and Macau affairs. In addition, he also became the new president of the Central Party School of the CCP, its cadre-training and ideological education wing. In

26690-423: Was elected to the posts of general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the CMC by the 18th Central Committee of the CCP . This made him, informally, the paramount leader and the first to be born after the founding of the PRC. The following day Xi led the new line-up of the PSC onto the stage in their first public appearance. The PSC was reduced from nine to seven, with only Xi and Li Keqiang retaining their seats;

26860-488: Was followed by wide-ranging reforms to local Zhengfawei organs. For example, the practice of lower-level Zhengfawei chiefs concurrently holding the office of police chief (i.e. Public Security) and concurrent government posts was gradually phased out, and the Zhengfawei was discouraged from directly interfering with ongoing investigations or cases. These reforms signaled a reduction in the executive authority of Zhengfawei chiefs in favour of better checks and balances in

27030-547: Was from Fuping County , Shaanxi. Xi went to the Beijing Bayi School , and then the Beijing No. 25 School, in the 1960s. He became friends with Liu He , who attended Beijing No. 101 School in the same district, and who later became China's vice premier and a close advisor to Xi after he became China's paramount leader. In 1963, when he was aged 10, his father was purged from the CCP and sent to work in

27200-715: Was one of the toughest challenges for the party. A few months into his term, Xi outlined the Eight-point Regulation , listing rules intended to curb corruption and waste during official party business; it aimed at stricter discipline on the conduct of officials. Xi vowed to root out "tigers and flies," that is, high-ranking officials and ordinary party functionaries. Xi initiated cases against former CMC vice-chairmen Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong , former PSC member and security chief Zhou Yongkang and former Hu Jintao chief aide Ling Jihua . Along with new disciplinary chief Wang Qishan , Xi's administration spearheaded

27370-670: Was particularly involved in the Sudan Nile petroleum project, including the construction of the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline , CNPC's first major project outside of China. Zhou travelled to the African country 14 times. Beginning in 1996, Zhou became general manager (chief executive) of the CNPC. As chief executive, Zhou was instrumental in the company's restructuring and the preparation of the initial public offering of

27540-405: Was ranked ninth in the party leadership hierarchy, Zhou, dubbed China's "security tsar " by select English-language media, emerged as one of the Standing Committee's most important members, and believed as one of China's most powerful men after CCP General Secretary Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao . In his position as national Zhengfawei chief, Zhou oversaw extensive security preparations for

27710-412: Was rife with speculation about the 'treatment' Zhou was to receive. However, Zhou's trial unexpectedly took place behind closed doors. On June 11, state media made an announcement – without any apparent warning – that Zhou's verdict had already been reached. The official report on Zhou's trial was brief, and stated that he had been convicted on all three charges. The legal sentence, according to

27880-441: Was rumoured to be next-in-line to Zhou's powerful position of Legal and Political Committee ( Zhengfawei ) Secretary, and thus the Standing Committee. Zhou had a close relationship with Bo, and he was reportedly acquainted with Wang Lijun as far back as his early days as mayor of Panjin. On Zhou's 2010 visit to Chongqing, he publicly endorsed Bo's "Red Songs" and "Strike Black" campaigns ( Chinese : 唱红打黑 ), showing enthusiasm for

28050-440: Was said to have met with Xi several times in Beijing between June and July to discuss Zhou Yongkang. During these meetings, Xi was said to have directly elaborated to Jiang on Zhou's alleged crimes, as well as convincing Jiang of the potential harm to the party and the state if Zhou was not brought down. Jiang, though initially reluctant, eventually threw his weight behind Xi. Jiang subsequently applauded Xi's leadership skills during

28220-417: Was searched by the authorities twice. Yuanxing died in December 2013 after a battle with cancer. Zhou Yongkang and his son Zhou Bin were not present at the funeral, fuelling speculation that Zhou and his family members were all in custody. Zhou's family reportedly made billions of dollars by investing in the oil industry, of which Zhou had headed the largest company, China National Petroleum Corp. According to

28390-518: Was sentenced to life in prison. Born Zhou Yuangen ( Chinese : 周元根 ) in December 1942, Zhou is a native of Xiqiantou Village (西前头村), Wuxi County , in Jiangsu province . Xiqiantou is located 18 kilometers (11 mi) outside Wuxi city proper. The majority of Xiqiantou residents were surnamed " Zhou ". Zhou took on the surname of his mother because his father, whose surname was Lu, was a 'live-in son-in-law' of his maternal grandparents. Upon joining

28560-414: Was suspended from the Politburo, Zhou held a national conference call with police officials, publicly declaring, "police officers must [...] understand what political position they need to take, maintain the correct political course, and always remain in line with the party centre led by comrade Hu Jintao as its General Secretary." On May 14, 2012, the Financial Times reported that Zhou had relinquished

28730-428: Was the party secretary there for seven months. In Shanghai, Xi avoided controversy and was known for strictly observing party discipline. For example, Shanghai administrators attempted to earn favour with him by arranging a special train to shuttle him between Shanghai and Hangzhou for him to complete handing off his work to his successor as Zhejiang party secretary Zhao Hongzhu . However, Xi reportedly refused to take

28900-465: Was to call for further economic reform and a strengthened military. Xi visited the statue of Deng Xiaoping and his trip was described as following in the footsteps of Deng's own southern trip in 1992 , which provided the impetus for further economic reforms in China after conservative party leaders stalled many of Deng's reforms in the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre . On his trip, Xi consistently alluded to his signature slogan,

#113886