Xi Jinping

In 1987, he married folk singer Peng Liyuan. She is renowned for her performances on state television and as a fashion trend-setter. In addition, she holds the rank of General in the 'People’s Liberation Army.'

In 1992, the couple had their only child, a daughter named Xi Mingze. She received her college education at 'Harvard University.' Since graduating, she maintains a low profile.

While occasionally dismissed as a princeling, Xi Jinping’s journey to the top was not an easy one. He is the son of Xi Zhongxun, a leader in the 1949 Communist takeover of China.

In 1962, the elder Xi was removed from his position of Vice-Premier and later imprisoned. The teenaged son was sent to the rural village of Liangjiahe to work and live among the locals, with whom he was very popular.

While in Liangjiahe, he lived in a typical cave-like dwelling, fetched water from a well, and subsisted mainly on rice gruel.

After seven years, he went to 'Tsinghua University' in the capital city of Beijing to study chemical engineering. 'Tsinghua University' produces much of China’s governing elite.

Throughout his youth, Xi had tried to join the 'Communist Party' several times. He was consistently rejected due to his father’s broken relationship with the party.

In 1974, he was finally received into the party, beginning his political career as an aide to Geng Biao. Geng was a top leader of the 'People’s Liberation Army’. Xi served three years as the party secretary in the Hebei province of China.

Transferred to Fujian in 1985, he worked in various party posts, beginning as Deputy Mayor of Xiamen. He proposed several infrastructure improvements, all of which were rejected by the provincial authorities.

In 1987, Xi transferred to Ningde, where he served as a district party chief. He launched a conservation campaign that beautified the major artery connecting Ningde to the greater Fujian province.

He was the party leader in Fuzhou, the provincial capital, from 1998 to 2000. Credited with stimulating foreign investment, Xi revitalized the historical ‘Three Lanes and Seven Alleys’ section.

His reputation as an honest and efficient politician rose steadily during his time in Fujian province. In 2000, he was named Fujian’s provincial governor.

Among his writings is 'The Governance of China,' a compilation of political philosophy released in 2014 by 'ICP Intercultural Press.' It places among the top 50 in the ‘politics and government—Asian’ category of the Amazon rankings.

In the same year, 'Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press' published 'Approachable: The Charm of Xi Jinping’s Words' – a collection of quotes by President Xi.