149-583: Xi Jinping (born 15 June 1953) 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
298-496: A seismic activity area (Taiwan is in a region of the world very prone to large earthquakes and tsunamis) like what happened at Fukushima in Japan in 2011 influenced Tsai and her party to make Taiwan nuclear power-free by 2025. While the nuclear energy referendum guaranteed that nuclear energy would not be abolished in 2018 Tsai decided to not renew the three remaining nuclear power plants' licenses which would expire after 40 years. Of
447-453: 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
596-691: A "modern socialist city" by 2050. General secretary of the Chinese Communist Party The general secretary of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party ( Chinese : 中国共产党中央委员会总书记 ; pinyin : Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng Zhōngyāng Wěiyuánhuì Zǒngshūjì ) is the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Since 1989,
745-412: A January 2019 speech by stating that Taiwan rejects "one country, two systems" and that because Beijing equates the 1992 Consensus with "one country, two systems", Taiwan rejects the 1992 Consensus as well. During her second inauguration speech, Tsai rejected one country, two systems explicitly again and reaffirmed her previous stance that cross-strait exchanges should be held on the basis of parity between
894-406: 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
1043-584: 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
1192-589: 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
1341-455: 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
1490-511: A focus on asymmetric warfare , maintenance of a military reserve force , and reform in management to reflect a democratic society. On cross-strait issues, she explicitly rejected the one country, two systems model proposed by Beijing and expressed a desire for both sides to coexist peacefully. Under the Tsai administration, military spending has risen in Taiwan relative to GDP. The defense budget
1639-409: A generational leadership transition at the subsequent party congress. The powers and roles of the general secretary are vaguely defined, with no term limits or written rules for selecting a successor. However, as China is a one-party state , the general secretary holds ultimate power and authority over state and government, and is usually considered the " paramount leader " of China. According to
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#17327661180921788-543: 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 was to call for further economic reform and
1937-517: A human rights commission under the Control Yuan . She also outlined her economic policy, which included transitioning from manufacturing to high-tech industries, with a focus on existing semiconductor and information and communications technology industries, cybersecurity , biotechnology and healthcare , domestic production of military equipment, green energy and strategically-critical industries. She proposed goals for defense reform, including
2086-524: 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)
2235-492: A law professor at Soochow University School of Law and National Chengchi University after earning an LLB from National Taiwan University and an LLM from Cornell Law School . She later studied law at the London School of Economics and was awarded a PhD . In 1993, as an independent (without party affiliation), she was appointed to a series of governmental positions, including trade negotiator for WTO affairs, by
2384-428: 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
2533-517: A major defeat in local elections . Tsai resumed the Democratic Progressive Party leadership from Cho Jung-tai on 20 May 2020, when she was inaugurated for her second presidential term. She resigned as party leader following the 2022 Taiwanese local elections . On 11 March 2011, Tsai Ing-wen officially announced her run for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Progressive Party. On 27 April 2011, Tsai became
2682-450: A major party as a presidential candidate in the history of Taiwan after defeating her former superior, Su Tseng-chang, in the DPP's primary election by a slight margin. In the 2012 Taiwanese presidential election , she was defeated by the then-president Ma Ying-jeou , but she won her first term of presidency in the 2016 presidential election by a landslide in a rematch against Eric Chu. In
2831-442: 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
2980-625: 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
3129-404: 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
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#17327661180923278-416: 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
3427-465: 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
3576-473: 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
3725-421: 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,
3874-728: 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
4023-720: 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
4172-507: 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
4321-782: 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
4470-466: Is Taiwan, Taiwan is the ROC, and the current ROC government is no longer ruled by a non-native political power". Tsai resigned as chair of the DPP after losing her 2012 presidential election bid to incumbent Ma Ying-jeou. On 15 March 2014, Tsai announced that she would once more run for party chief of the DPP against incumbent Su Tseng-chang and Frank Hsieh . However, both Su and Hsieh dropped out of
4619-608: Is a Taiwanese politician who served as the 7th president of the Republic of China ( Taiwan ) from 2016 to 2024, and was the first woman to hold that position. A member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), she intermittently served as chair of the DPP from 2008 to 2012, 2014 to 2018, and 2020 to 2022. Tsai was born and raised in Taipei and studied law and international trade , and later became
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4768-497: 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
4917-533: Is slated to begin operations at the end of 2019. The government also purchased 520 MW of solar capacity in 2017 and more than 1 GW in 2018; total capacity was 2.8 GW at the end of 2018, with the government planning to deploy an addition 1.5 GW of solar power in 2019 and 2.2 GW in 2020. On May 30, 2023, the Renewable Energy Development Act was amended to require solar panels on all new buildings. The government approved amendments to
5066-478: 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
5215-546: The 1992 Summit took place but does not agree that a "consensus" was ever reached by both sides. She credited the talks with spurring 20 years of dialogue and exchange between the two sides. She hoped that exchanges would continue on the basis of these historical facts, as well as the existence of the Republic of China constitutional system and democratic will of the Taiwanese people. In response, Beijing called Tsai's answer an "incomplete test paper" because Tsai did not agree to
5364-662: The 2020 presidential election , she was re-elected as president after winning the election against Han Kuo-yu . Her presidency is succeeded by Lai Ching-te of the DPP on 20 May 2024. Tsai is the second president from the DPP, and also the first popularly elected president to have never served as the Mayor of Taipei . She resigned as head of the Democratic People's Party (DPP) in November 2022, citing her party's poor performance in local elections earlier that month. Tsai
5513-582: 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
5662-614: The Constitution of the Chinese Communist Party , the general secretary serves as an ex officio member of the Politburo Standing Committee. According to regulations of the CCP, the general secretary is responsible for convening the meetings of the Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee. The general secretary additionally presides over the work of the Secretariat. The general secretary also sets
5811-731: The Consumer Protection Commission . On 17 May 2007, Tsai, along with the rest of the cabinet of out-going Premier Su Tseng-chang , resigned to make way for incoming Premier Chang Chun-hsiung and his cabinet. Premier Chang named Chiou I-jen , the incumbent secretary-general of the Presidential Office to replace Tsai as vice premier. She then served as the chair of TaiMedBiologics, a biotechnology company based in Taiwan. The Kuomintang accused Tsai of contracting government work out to TaiMedBiologics during her term as vice premier, while planning to leave
5960-599: The Dominican Republic , Burkina Faso and El Salvador in 2018, and the Solomon Islands and Kiribati in 2019, and Nicaragua in 2021, and Honduras in 2023, and Nauru in 2024. This continued a trend that was temporarily halted under an unofficial "diplomatic truce" during the Ma Ying-jeou administration where the PRC ceased to court official diplomatic allies of the ROC. At the same time,
6109-655: 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
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6258-647: 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
6407-483: The New Southbound Policy as well as prioritization of innovative industries. In terms of cross-strait policy, she acknowledged the 1992 Consensus without agreeing to it and called for continued cross-strait dialogue. In her second inauguration speech, Tsai outlined her major goals in her second term, including instituting a lay judge system, lowering the voting age from 20 to 18, and establishing
6556-791: 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
6705-596: 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
6854-553: 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
7003-582: 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
7152-469: The cabinet 's mass resignation in 2007. Following the DPP's defeat in the presidential election in 2008 , she was elected as party chair of the DPP, but she resigned when the party lost the presidential election in 2012 . Tsai ran for New Taipei City mayorship in the 2010 municipal elections but was defeated by the KMT candidate, Eric Chu . In April 2011, Tsai became the first woman to be nominated by
7301-419: 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
7450-632: The election for DPP chair , and succeeded outgoing Frank Hsieh as the 12th-term chair of the party. She was the first woman to chair a major Taiwanese political party. Tsai took office on 20 May 2008, the same day Ma Ying-jeou was inaugurated as president. She said that DPP would work to deepen the Taiwanese localization movement while defending social justice. She criticized Ma for mentioning closer Cross-Strait relations but nothing about Taiwan's sovereignty and national security. Tsai questioned Ma's stance on Taiwan's sovereign status. Ma emphasized
7599-522: The establishment of 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
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#17327661180927748-501: 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
7897-431: 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
8046-504: The supreme commander of the People's Liberation Army . The CCP general secretary is nominally elected by a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party from among the members of the Politburo Standing Committee . In practice, the de facto method of selecting the general secretary has varied over time. The two most recent general secretaries, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping , were first elevated to
8195-419: 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
8344-877: The 1990s, Tsai was also appointed to the Fair Trade Commission and the Copyright Commission. She served as consultant for the Mainland Affairs Council and the National Security Council . She also led the drafting team on the Statute Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau ( Chinese : 港澳關係條例 ). In 2000, Tsai was given the high-profile appointment of chair of the Mainland Affairs Council. Confirming
8493-767: 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
8642-470: The CCP general secretary has been the paramount leader of the PRC. According to the CCP constitution , the general secretary is elected during a plenary session of the Central Committee . The general secretary serves as an ex officio member of the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), China's de facto top decision-making body. The general secretary is also the head of the Secretariat , and sets
8791-408: 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
8940-466: 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
9089-538: 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
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#17327661180929238-607: The DPP regained momentum in elections of 2009, after major defeats from 2006 to 2008. In 2010, she was re-elected as the chair of the DPP. Tsai made a controversial statement in May 2010 claiming that the Republic of China was a " government-in-exile " non-native to Taiwan; however on 8 October 2011, two days prior to the 100-year anniversary celebrations of the Double Ten Day , Tsai changed her statement, stating that "The ROC
9387-470: The Electricity Act on 20 October 2016 to break up the state-owned monopoly Taipower into subsidiaries and further liberalize the power sector by allowing companies to sell electricity to users directly rather than selling through Taipower. In particular, the generation and distribution divisions of Taipower are to be separated. Amongst the stated motivations for liberalisation was to allow for
9536-419: The Electricity Act. An energy blackout due to an unrelated operational mistake have led some to question the nuclear phase-out. According to the results of the 2018 referendum , this provision was abolished on 7 May 2019. Nonetheless, the administration has maintained a goal of phasing out nuclear energy. The controversial nuclear waste site on Orchid Island and the dangers of nuclear power plants in
9685-664: 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
9834-413: 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
9983-428: The People's Republic of China . She insisted "the two sides (The ROC and PRC) of the Taiwan Strait do not belong to each other" (海峽兩岸互不隸屬). The Tsai administration oversaw Taiwan's response to the COVID-19 pandemic . The Central Epidemic Command Center was activated on January 20, 2020, and deactivated May 1, 2023. On August 28, 2020, the Tsai administration lifted a ban on leaning agent ractopamine , clearing
10132-404: 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
10281-457: The Tsai administration saw breakthroughs in Taiwan's unofficial relations with the United States and the European Union. On 9 August 2020, the United States Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar of the Trump administration became the highest-level Cabinet member to visit Taiwan since the diplomatic break between the ROC and the United States in 1979. In April 2021, the United States ambassador to Palau made an official visit to Taiwan,
10430-422: The agenda of Central Committee, Politburo and PSC meetings. Since the 1990s, the holder of the post has been, except for transitional periods, the president of China , making the holder the head of state, and the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the supreme commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). As the leader of the world's largest economy by GDP purchasing power parity (PPP) ,
10579-459: The aging ROCN Hsu Hai (formerly the USS Pensacola ). On 11 March 2022, a special force soldier wrote to Tsai, reporting that insufficient supply and logistical planning compelled combatants to purchase equipment from outside suppliers at their own expense for two years. Such equipment was subsequently disqualified as non-standard upon inspection, in contrast of the reserve trainees receiving new sets of equipment. The soldier also appealed to abolish
10728-619: The behest of her father. After graduating at the College of Law, National Taiwan University , in 1978, Tsai obtained a Master of Laws at Cornell Law School in 1980. She then studied law at the London School of Economics and was awarded a Ph.D. in law from the University of London in 1984. Upon her return to Taiwan, she taught law at the School of Law of Soochow University and National Chengchi University , both in Taipei . In
10877-464: 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
11026-514: 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
11175-525: 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
11324-499: 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
11473-496: The content of the 1992 Consensus. On 25 June 2016, Beijing suspended official cross-strait communications, with any remaining cross-strait exchanges thereafter taking place through unofficial channels. In January 2019, Xi Jinping , the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), wrote an open letter to Taiwan, proposing a one country, two systems formula for eventual unification. Tsai responded to Xi in
11622-546: The country for more than two terms was Mao Zedong , who served as Chairman of the CCP Central Committee from 1943 until his death in 1976. The post was established by the 12th Central Committee in 1982, replacing the post of Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party. Since its revival in 1982, the post of general secretary has been the highest office in the CCP, though it did not become the most powerful post until Deng Xiaoping 's retirement in 1990. Since
11771-630: 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
11920-695: 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
12069-432: The direct purchase of green energy by consumers. The plan also included emissions controls, the creation of a regulatory agency, mandatory reserve margins (waived for start-up green energy companies), and measures for price stabilization. The plan was met with protests by Taipower employees. Tsai campaigned on a promise to make Taiwan nuclear-free by 2025, which was codified into law on 11 January 2017 via amendments to
12218-409: 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
12367-519: 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
12516-488: The election in the aftermath of the Sunflower Student Movement . Tsai defeated Kaohsiung County deputy commissioner Kuo Tai-lin by 79,676 votes. Tsai led the DPP to an historic victory in the local elections held on 29 November 2014, in which the party secured leadership of 13 of Taiwan's 22 municipalities and counties. The DPP's stunning victory in the elections strengthened Tsai's position within
12665-637: 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
12814-548: The first female presidential candidate in Taiwan after she defeated former Premier Su Tseng-chang by a small margin in a nationwide phone poll (of more than 15,000 samples) that served as the party's primary. Tsai ran against incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang and James Soong of the People First Party in the 5th direct presidential election, which was held on 14 January 2012. Garnering 45.63% of
12963-728: The first time a US ambassador had done so since the US switched recognition from the ROC to the PRC in 1979. In the same month, the United States President Joe Biden also sent an official delegation including former senator Chris Dodd to Taiwan. On November 3, 2021 the first official European Union delegation arrived in Taiwan led by French MEP Raphael Glucksmann , and consisting of Lithuanian MEPs Andrius Kubilius and Petras Auštrevičius , Czech MEP Markéta Gregorová , Austrian MEP Andreas Schieder , Greek MEP Georgios Kyrtsos and Italian MEP Marco Dreosto , with
13112-423: 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
13261-551: 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
13410-470: The government and lead the company afterward. She was later cleared of all alleged wrongdoing. In Kuomintang candidate Ma Ying-jeou's search for his running mate for the 2008 ROC presidential election , Tsai, a DPP member, was surprisingly suggested. Ma stated that there were no set criteria for a running mate, that his search would not be defined by gender, occupation, or even political party affiliations. On 19 May 2008, Tsai defeated Koo Kwang-ming in
13559-500: 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
13708-453: 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
13857-853: 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
14006-405: 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
14155-523: The highest-profile visit since. The PRC responded with several days of military exercises around Taiwan. On March 25, 2023, an official delegation of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic , led by Markéta Pekarová Adamová , visited Taiwan to conduct exchanges on trade, cultural, and academic exchanges. During her first inauguration speech, Tsai acknowledged that the talks surrounding
14304-501: 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
14453-432: The importance of the so-called 1992 Consensus and called Tsai a Taiwan independence extremist. Tsai criticized Ma's government for not answering her question and labeling others. After former President Chen Shui-bian's acknowledgment of transferring past campaign funds overseas, Tsai apologized to the public and also said that the DPP would not try to cover up for Chen's alleged misdeeds. The Clean Government Commission
14602-661: 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
14751-419: 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
14900-413: The mainland trade invasion. Tsai also said that the pact "will make Taiwan lose its independence in cross-strait relations and become a Chinese parasite" and that Taiwan should negotiate with China under the multilateral-framework World Trade Organization , which would offer more trade protections and emphasize Taiwan's distinct status. Under Tsai's leadership, along with some of KMT's unpopular policies,
15049-469: The mandatory diary writing for examination. The classified "2022006470" document was somehow illegally leaked from the presidential office to the media with his identity exposed on 18 March. In response, Minister of National Defense , Chiu Kuo-cheng stated: "I will not let him get away with it", "Fix the crying baby!" When questioned by members of the Legislative Yuan, Chiu clarified that he
15198-576: 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
15347-401: The mid-1990s, starting with Jiang Zemin , the general secretary has traditionally also held the post of president of China . While the presidency is a ceremonial post, it is customary for the general secretary to assume the presidency to confirm his status as head of state . It has additionally been held together with the post of chairman of the Central Military Commission , making the holder
15496-400: 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
15645-583: 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
15794-504: 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
15943-535: 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
16092-554: 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
16241-412: 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
16390-420: 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
16539-424: 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
16688-493: The party and placed her as the front-runner in the 2016 Presidential Elections ; she announced her second bid for the Presidency on 15 February 2015. On 16 January 2016, she won the election by a landslide, winning 56.1% of votes, beating her opponent Eric Chu , who won 31.1% of the votes. On 24 November 2018, she resigned as leader of the Democratic Progressive Party and refused Premier Lai Ching-te 's resignation after
16837-528: The position of first Secretary of the Secretariat in the same process used to determine the membership and roles of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee. Under this informal process, the first secretary would be chosen during deliberations by incumbent Politburo members and retired Politburo Standing Committee members in the lead up to a Party Congress . The first secretary would later succeed the retiring general secretary as part of
16986-557: The presidential candidate on 15 April. During summer of 2015, Tsai embarked on a visit to the United States and met a number of US policy makers including Senators John McCain and Jack Reed . In her speech addressing Taiwanese diaspora on the east coast of the United States, Tsai signaled a willingness to cooperate with the rising Third Party coalition in Taiwan in the incoming general election. On 14 November, Tsai's campaign announced that she had chosen Chen Chien-jen as DPP vice presidential candidate. On 16 January 2016, Tsai won
17135-551: The presidential election, beating her opponent Eric Chu by a margin of 25.04%. Tsai was inaugurated as president on 20 May 2016. After her election, Tsai was named one of "The 100 Most Influential People" in TIME magazine 2 May 2016 issue. Tsai announced on 19 February 2019 via an interview with CNN that she would run for reelection as president in 2020. She registered to run in the Democratic Progressive Party presidential primary on 21 March 2019. Tsai defeated Lai Ching-te in
17284-445: The primary, and the Democratic Progressive Party nominated her as its candidate for the 2020 presidential election on 19 June 2019. Tsai and Lai formed the Democratic Progressive Party ticket on 17 November 2019. In the inauguration speech for her first term, Tsai stated policy goals such as pension reform, long-term care for the elderly, transitional justice, and judicial reform. She outlined an economic policy of diversification via
17433-417: 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
17582-418: The purpose of conducting exchanges on disinformation and cyber attacks against democracies. The visit followed an official tour of Central Europe by foreign minister Joseph Wu which included an unofficial visit to Brussels . On August 2, 2022, U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan with a delegation of 6 Democratic representatives , the first since a visit by Newt Gingrich in 1997, and
17731-583: 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
17880-676: 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
18029-623: 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
18178-430: The same combat gear as active servicemembers and synchronization of mobilization. The first domestically-produced rapid mine-laying ship was delivered on 4 August 2020, and construction on an indigenous diesel submarine began in November 2020. The navy's first indigenous amphibious transport dock was launched on April 13, 2021; named Yu Shan after the mountain with the same name and built by CSBC , it will replace
18327-473: The second largest economy by GDP nominal , the largest military in the world by personnel, a recognized nuclear weapons state , UN Security Council permanent member , and a potential superpower , the general secretary is considered to be one of the world's most powerful political figures. The incumbent general secretary is Xi Jinping , who took office on 15 November 2012 and was re-elected twice on 25 October 2017 and 23 October 2022. The last person to rule
18476-731: 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
18625-608: The then ruling party Kuomintang (KMT) and was one of the chief drafters of the special state-to-state relations doctrine under the President Lee Teng-hui . During the first term of Chen Shui-bian 's presidency, Tsai served as Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council . She joined the DPP in 2004 and served briefly as a DPP-nominated at-large member of the Legislative Yuan , and was then appointed as Vice Premier under Premier Su Tseng-chang until
18774-676: The three active nuclear power plants as of 2016, the Jinshan Nuclear Power Plant was shut down in July 2019, the Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant will be decommissioned in March 2023, and the final nuclear power plant to shut down will be the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in May 2025. On 5 July 2017, the first Forward-Looking Infrastructure Bill passed the Legislative Yuan. The bill provided $ 420 billion NTD in funds over
18923-513: The topics of Central Committee, Politburo and Politburo Standing Committee meetings. Since October 2017, the first plenary session of the 19th CCP Central Committee , all Politburo members make an annual written presentation to the CCP General Secretary. The position is reportedly paid a basic annual salary of ¥136,620 or around US$ 19,200 per year. Tsai Ing-wen Tsai Ing-wen ( Chinese : 蔡英文 ; born 31 August 1956)
19072-550: 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
19221-547: 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
19370-462: 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
19519-472: The two sides. She further remarked that cross-strait relations had reached a "historical turning point." During her speech on the Double Tenth Day on October 10, 2021, President Tsai rejected the idea of " complete unification of Chinese motherland " through a peaceful unification under "One country, two systems" proposed by the Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the 72nd Anniversary of the founding of
19668-497: The umbrella of the Forward-Looking Infrastructure initiative have been used to fund green energy initiatives. The administration plans to install 1,000 wind turbines on land and offshore and has contracted Ørsted of Denmark to install 900 MW of capacity and wpd of Germany to install 1 GW of capacity. Taiwan's first offshore wind farm, Formosa I, consisting of 22 wind turbines expected to produce 128 MW,
19817-538: 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
19966-465: 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
20115-526: 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,
20264-411: The vote, she conceded defeat to President Ma in an international press conference, resigning her seat as Chairman of the DPP. On 15 February 2015, Tsai officially registered for the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential nomination primary. Though Lai Ching-te and Su Tseng-chang were seen as likely opponents, Tsai was the only candidate to run in the primary and the DPP officially nominated her as
20413-512: 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
20562-402: The way for U.S. pork imports and removing a major hurdle for bilateral trade talks between Taiwan and the United States. This move proved controversial domestically, and a referendum to reinstate the ban was defeated in 2021. On June 1, 2022, Taiwan established a trade negotiation framework titled the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade. On June 1, 2023, an initial trade agreement
20711-517: The widely held belief that she maintained Pan-Green sympathies, Tsai joined the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2004. She was subsequently nominated by the DPP to be a candidate in the 2004 legislative election and was elected as a legislator-at-large. On 26 January 2006, Tsai was appointed to the post of vice president of the Executive Yuan , a position commonly referred to as vice premier. She concurrently served as chairwoman of
20860-468: Was born at Mackay Memorial Hospital in Zhongshan District , Taipei City on 31 August 1956, the youngest of eleven children. Her father, Tsai Chieh-sheng (1918–2006), was a businessman who ran an auto repair shop, and her mother Chang Chin-fong (1925–2018) was a housewife. During her high school period, she studied at Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School . She studied law at
21009-467: Was disgusted by what he considered cowardly behavior, and that the soldier's critiques were unfair to the preparatory staff. The case raised concern on the standard operating procedure regarding data security breaches affecting the presidential office. Under Tsai, several countries which had formally recognized the Republic of China (ROC) switched recognition to the People's Republic of China (PRC): São Tomé and Príncipe in 2016, Panama in 2017,
21158-503: 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
21307-422: 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;
21456-541: 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
21605-712: 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
21754-771: Was set to $ 327 billion NTD in 2018 and $ 346 billion in 2019. The defense budget in 2020 was set to $ 411 billion NTD, estimated to be 2.3% of GDP, representing an 8.3% increase in total spending over the previous year and a 0.2% increase in percentage of GDP. In 2021 it was set to $ 453 billion NTD, estimated to be 2.4% of GDP, and a 4.4% increase over the previous year. The administration has also focused on defensive self-sufficiency and developing indigenous industries, such as in submarines and missiles. The AIDC T-5 Brave Eagle indigenous jet trainer , which started development in 2017, successfully conducted its first test flight in 2020. On 29 June 2020, Tsai announced measures to shore up Taiwan's military reserves, including assigning them
21903-603: Was set up to investigate corruption within the DPP. On 25 April 2010, Tsai participated in a televised debate against President and Kuomintang chairman Ma Ying-jeou over a proposed trade agreement, the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA); while President Ma believed ECFA would increase Taiwanese exports to mainland China and lower unemployment rates , Tsai said it "will force Taiwan to open up for cheap Chinese exports eventually" and certain domestic industries will be harmed by
22052-405: Was signed with the United States on June 1, 2023 under this framework, which streamlined customs regulations, established common regulatory practices, and introduced anti-corruption measures, with further measures still in discussion. The Tsai administration has stated an electricity supply goal of 20% from renewables , 30% from coal and 50% from liquefied natural gas by 2025. Bills under
22201-426: 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
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