Ding Xuexiang

Last updated
Ding Xuexiang
丁薛祥
Ding Xuexiang 2023.jpg
Ding in 2023
First-ranked Vice Premier of China
Assumed office
12 March 2023
Cabinet Li Qiang Government

Ding Xuexiang [lower-alpha 1] (born 13 September 1962) is a Chinese politician who is currently the first-ranked vice premier of China and the sixth-ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Contents

Considered a close confidant of CCP general secretary Xi Jinping, Ding served as Xi's staff during his tenure in Shanghai, then followed him to Beijing. He served as the director of the CCP General Secretary's Office between 2013 and 2023 and the director of the CCP General Office between 2017 and 2023. He was also a member of the 19th Party Politburo, and a Secretary of the Party Secretariat between 2017 and 2022.

Early life and education

Ding Xuexiang was born in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on 13 September 1962. He enrolled in college in 1978 at the age of 16, graduating from the Northeast Heavy Machinery Institute in Qinghuangdao, later renamed Yanshan University, in 1982 with a degree in engineering. [1]

Ding got his first job at the Shanghai Research Institute of Materials (SRIM) in 1982, where he first served as a research fellow. He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1984, and also became the Communist Youth League secretary at the SRIM that year. In 1988, he became the director of the institute's General Office and Propaganda Department, later becoming the director of the No. 9 Department in 1992. He enrolled in the Fudan University School of Management in 1989, gaining a master's degree in science and management via part-time studies in 1994. [2] In 1994, he became a deputy director of the institute, and eventually became its director and Party secretary in 1996, serving in those positions until 1999. [1]

Political career

Ding moved into politics after obtaining his first cadre position, as the deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, in 1999. [3] He became the head of Zhabei District of Shanghai in 2001. In 2004, he was appointed as the deputy director of the Organization Department of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and the director of the Personnel Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. [1] In 2006, he became the deputy secretary-general as well as the director of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee. [1]

In 2007, he was promoted to become the secretary-general, and became a member of the Municipal Standing Committee. In this position, he served as the chief of staff for four Shanghai Party secretaries; Cheng Liangyu, Han Zheng, Xi Jinping, and Yu Zhengsheng. In 2012, he became the secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of the Municipal Party Committee. [4] Ding was elected to the Central Committee as an alternate member at the 18th Party Congress in November 2012. [5]

Ding became the director of the CCP General Secretary's office in May 2013, responsible for aiding CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping. In 2016, Ding became a deputy director of the CCP General Office. [1] Ding joined the Politburo and the Secretariat of the CCP in October 2017. In November 2017, he became the director of the CCP General Office while retaining the post of CCP General Secretary's office director (chief of staff). [6] [5]

Vice Premiership

Ding Xuexiang on the EU-China High-Level dialogue on Environment & Climate, June 18, 2024. Ding Xuexiang EU 2024.jpg
Ding Xuexiang on the EU-China High-Level dialogue on Environment & Climate, June 18, 2024.

Following the first plenary session of the 20th CCP Central Committee in October 2022, Ding was elevated to the CCP Politburo Standing Committee, the top decision-making body in China. [7] Upon his nomination, Voice of America described Ding as "loyal and strong in coordination, but lacking experience in macroeconomic management and other people's livelihood affairs". [8]

Ding succeeded Han Zheng as the first-ranking vice premier of China and leader of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs in March 2023. [9] His portfolio included development and reform, [10] education, [11] science and technology, [12] finance, [13] ecology and environment, [14] statistics, [15] and intellectual property. [16] In June 2024, he was revealed to be the leader of the Central Science and Technology Commission. [17]

In November 2023, Ding met about 150 youth representatives from Hong Kong and Macao for the first time in Beijing and conveyed President Xi's affection for young people. He pledged to support youth development in Hong Kong with more "concrete work", including on study and job opportunities, starting up businesses and housing issues, addressing young people as the "new blood" for the nation's development. [18]

In July 2023, China and the European Union held the 4th EU-China High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue. The European delegation to China was led by Frans Timmermans, while China was represented by Ding. Both sides declared they will continue to cooperate in combating climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Both sides agreed to ensure the success of COP28, implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, advance the High Seas Treaty, cooperate in water policy, and reach a global agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. Both sides also agreed to support a circular economy. In November 2023, Ding attended COP28 in Dubai. [19]

Personal life

Ding's wife previously worked in the education sector. The couple have a son, who works in the China Development Bank. [1]

Notes

  1. Chinese :丁薛祥; pinyin :Dīng Xuēxiáng

Related Research Articles

The orders of precedence in China is the ranking of political leaders in China for the purposes of event protocol and to arrange the ordering of names in official news bulletins, both written and televised. It is also sometimes used to assess perceived level of political power. Although there is no formally published ranking, there is usually an established convention and protocol, and the relative positions of Chinese political figures can usually be deduced from the order in meetings and especially by the time and order in which figures are covered by the official media. Since 1982, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party has been the highest-ranking official in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Li Zhanshu</span> Chinese politician

Li Zhanshu is a Chinese retired politician, who was the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress from 2018 to 2023. He was the third-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, China's top decision-making body, between 2017 and 2022.

The succession of power in China since 1949 takes place in the context of a one-party state under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Despite the guarantee of universal franchise in the constitution, the appointment of the Paramount leader lies largely in the hands of his predecessor and the powerful factions that control the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission</span> Commission of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party

The Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission is a commission of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in charge of leading and supervising economic work of both the CCP Central Committee and the State Council. The Commission is generally headed by CCP General Secretary or Premier of the State Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Leading Group for Propaganda, Ideology and Culture</span> CCP Politburo agency for nationwide publicity

The Central Leading Group for Propaganda, Ideological and Cultural Work is a leading small group of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) responsible for nationwide propaganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chen Xi (politician)</span> Chinese politician

Chen Xi is a Chinese politician currently serving as the president of the Central Party School. Between 2017 and 2022, Chen was a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and a secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party, serving as the head of the party's Organization Department. A graduate from Tsinghua University, Chen served as the party secretary of the institution from 2002 to 2008. Thereafter he served as a vice-minister of education and vice chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission</span> Chinese policy coordination group

The Central Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission (CCDR), also translated as the Central Commission for Deepening Reform, is a policy formulation and implementation body of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in charge of "Comprehensively Deepening Reforms". These reforms are intended to be even more far-reaching than the previous round of comprehensive Chinese economic reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs</span> Chinese policy coordination group

The Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs is an internal policy coordination group of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), reporting to the CCP Politburo, in charge of supervising and coordinating Beijing's policies towards the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Zhong Shaojun is a long-time political aide of Xi Jinping, currently the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). Zhong served on Xi's staff beginning in Zhejiang province, then followed him to Shanghai, and then Beijing. Zhong currently serves as the director of Xi Jinping’s Office and director of the General Office of the Central Military Commission. He holds the military rank of Lieutenant general in 2019.

The 19th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), formally the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CCP on 25 October 2017 in the aftermath of the 19th National Congress. This electoral term was preceded by the 18th Politburo and succeeded by the 20th. Seven of the 25 members served in the 19th Politburo Standing Committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China under Xi Jinping</span> Leadership of the Chinese Communist Party

Xi Jinping succeeded Hu Jintao as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in 2012, and later in 2016 was proclaimed the CCP's 4th leadership core, following Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Zemin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Office of the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party</span>

The Office of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party often referred to as the General Secretary's Office (总书记办公室) is a bureau whose staff is assigned to work directly under, and closely with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s General Secretary. The Office manages personal affairs of the General Secretary and is a part of the Central Committee, but reports directly to the General Secretary. The director of the Office of the General Secretary and the staff under him are considered to be Mishus, or trusted confidants responsible for maintaining the private information and correspondence of the party's leader.

The Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party over the Past Century, commonly known as the "third historical resolution", is a document adopted by the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on its Sixth Plenary Session held between 8–11 November 2021. This document was the third of its kind after "historical resolutions" adopted by Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

The 20th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), formally the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CCP on 23 October 2022 in the aftermath of the 20th National Congress. This electoral term was preceded by the 19th Politburo. Seven of the 24 members serve in the 20th Politburo Standing Committee.

The 19th Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, formally the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was elected by the 1st Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee on 25 October 2017, in the aftermath of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was preceded by the CCP's 18th Politburo Standing Committee and was succeeded by the 20th in October 2022.

The 20th Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, formally the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was elected by the 1st Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee on 23 October 2022, in the aftermath of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was preceded by the 19th Politburo Standing Committee.

The 18th Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, formally the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was elected by the 1st Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee on 15 November 2012, in the aftermath of the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was preceded by the CCP's 17th Politburo Standing Committee and was succeeded by the 19th in 2017.

The 19th Secretariat, formally the Secretariat of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was nominated by the 19th Politburo Standing Committee and approved by the 1st Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee on 25 October 2017, in the aftermath of the 19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This electoral term was preceded by the 18th Secretariat, and succeeded by the 20th in 2022.

From September 14 to 16, 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states in Samarkand, and pay state visits to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at the invitation of the Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party</span> Event held in Beijing (15–18 July 2024)

The 3rd Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party was conducted in Beijing from 15 to 18 July 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ding Xuexiang 丁薛祥" (PDF). Brookings Institution . Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  2. Kenderdine, Tristan. "Xi Loyalist Ding Xuexiang Could Benefit From Factional Infighting". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  3. Wong, Edward (30 September 2015). "The 'Gatekeeper' in Xi Jinping's Inner Circle". New York Times . Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  4. Xinhua. "Ding Xuexiang -- Member of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee". China Daily . Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  5. 1 2 "China Vitae : Biography of Ding Xuexiang". www.chinavitae.com.
  6. "1st Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC (Chinese)". Xinhua News Agency . Archived from the original on 2017-10-25.
  7. "Communique of the first plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee". www.gov.cn. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  8. "习近平为什么看中了丁薛祥?" [Why does Xi Jinping prefer Ding Xuexiang?]. Voice of America . 8 November 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  9. Zheng, William (21 March 2023). "Mainland China executive vice-premier made Beijing's top official for Hong Kong and Macau affairs". South China Morning Post . Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. "中国发展高层论坛2023年年会开幕 丁薛祥宣读习近平主席贺信并发表主旨演讲 [The 2023 Annual Conference of the China Development Forum opens. Ding Xuexiang reads the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivers a keynote speech]". Xinhua . 26 March 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  11. "丁薛祥在全国高校毕业生等青年就业创业工作电视电话会议上强调 扎实做好高校毕业生就业创业工作 确保取得让党和人民满意的成效 [Ding Xuexiang emphasized at the national teleconference on the employment and entrepreneurship of college graduates and other young people that they should do a good job in the employment and entrepreneurship of college graduates to ensure that the party and the people are satisfied with the results]". Xinhua . 11 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  12. "丁薛祥出席2023年全国科技活动周暨北京科技周启动式活动 [Ding Xuexiang attended the launch event of the 2023 National Science and Technology Week and Beijing Science and Technology Week]". Xinhua . 20 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  13. "丁薛祥出席新开发银行第八届理事会年会开幕式并致辞 [Ding Xuexiang attended the opening ceremony of the 8th Annual Meeting of the New Development Bank Council and delivered a speech]". Xinhua . 30 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  14. "丁薛祥会见联合国气候变化迪拜大会候任主席苏尔坦 [Ding Xuexiang meets with Sultan, President-Designate of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai]". Xinhua . 18 April 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  15. "第四届联合国世界数据论坛开幕 丁薛祥宣读习近平主席贺信并致辞 [The 4th United Nations World Data Forum opens. Ding Xuexiang reads the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivers a speech]". Xinhua . 24 April 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  16. "中国与世界知识产权组织合作五十周年纪念暨宣传周主场活动在京举行 丁薛祥宣读习近平主席贺信并致辞 [The 50th Anniversary of Cooperation between China and the World Intellectual Property Organization and the Propaganda Week Home Event Held in Beijing Ding Xuexiang Read President Xi Jinping's Congratulatory Letter and Delivered a Speech]". Xinhua . 26 April 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  17. "Senior Chinese official urges promotion of sci-tech advancement". Xinhua News Agency . 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  18. "Chinese vice-premier tells Hong Kong delegation more plans in works for youth". South China Morning Post . 2023-11-22. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  19. "Joint Press Release following the Fourth EU-China High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue". Delegation of the European Union to the People’s Republic of China. the European Union. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
Political offices
Preceded by First-ranked Vice Premier of China
2023–present
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by Director of the Office of the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
2013–2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
2017–2023
Succeeded by