Xi Jinping: From farmer, chemical engineer to leader of China

Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping is scheduled to pay an official visit to Vietnam from December 12 to 13. Over the past decade, China under Xi's leadership has witnessed historic changes.

Ông Tập Cận Bình phát biểu tại lễ kỷ niệm 100 năm thành lập Đảng Cộng sản Trung Quốc ở Bắc Kinh vào tháng 7-2021 - Ảnh: XINHUA — *Xi Jinping speaks at the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China in Beijing in July 2021 - Photo: XINHUA*

Xi Jinping was born in June 1953 into a revolutionary family. His father, Xi Zhongxun, was a respected leader within the Chinese Communist Party. Describing his father as "a man devoted to the Chinese people", Xi Jinping once acknowledged that he was inspired by his father and pledged to follow in his footsteps. At the age of 15, as an "educated youth", Xi left Beijing for the village of Liangjiahe in arid Shaanxi province, northwest China, carrying a small bag embroidered with the words "mother's heart" by his mother, Qi Xin. Xi then spent seven years in the countryside, working and living with farmers. He calls himself a farmer when recalling his years in Liangjiahe. He was separated from his family, slept in caves, was bitten by fleas and worked hard like other villagers, farming, herding sheep, carrying fertilizer and transporting coal. Xi said he understood the meaning of the word "people" through his experience in Liangjiahe. And that strengthened his determination to "serve the people." According to Xinhua , over the past decade, China under Xi's leadership has witnessed historic changes, with the economy more than doubling to 114 trillion yuan ($16 trillion), absolute poverty being eradicated, and moderate prosperity (xiaowang) achieved for its 1.4 billion people. In October 2022, Xinhua wrote: "A new journey has begun. Xi will lead China to pursue national rejuvenation by following China's path of modernization and continuing to strive for a shared future for mankind." At that time, Xi said of the journey: "The journey ahead is long and arduous, but with determined steps, we will reach the destination."