Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping is the paramount leader of China and has been the most powerful figure in the country since 2012. Born in 1953 in Beijing, he rose through the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party over many decades. He became the General Secretary of the Communist Party in 2012 and the President of China in 2013. Under his leadership, the country has seen a significant increase in the government's control over society, a major push to modernise the military, and a wide-ranging campaign against corruption within the political system. In 2018, he oversaw changes to the Chinese constitution that removed presidential term limits, allowing him to remain in power indefinitely. As of June 2026, he continues to lead the country, focusing on his vision for China's development and its role in international affairs.