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Ding Xuexiang

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Ding Xuexiang
丁薛祥
Ding in 2023
First-ranked Vice Premier of China
Assumed office
12 March 2023
PremierLi Qiang
Preceded byHan Zheng
Director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party
In office
15 November 2017 – March 2023
DeputyMeng Xiangfeng (executive)
General SecretaryXi Jinping
Preceded byLi Zhanshu
Succeeded byCai Qi
Director of the Office of the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
In office
May 2013 – March 2023
General SecretaryXi Jinping
Preceded byChen Shiju
Succeeded byHan Shiming
Personal details
Born (1962-09-13) 13 September 1962 (age 62)
Nantong, Jiangsu, China
Political partyChinese Communist Party
Children1 son
Alma mater
CabinetLi Qiang Government

Ding Xuexiang[a] (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.

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

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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

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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

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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 the same month, he attended the China Development Forum.[17] In June 2024, he was revealed to be the leader of the Central Science and Technology Commission.[18] In May 2023, he attended the opening ceremony of the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, where he called for China to speed up technological innovation.[19] In October 2023, Ding visited Shenzhen, where he paid a trip to DJI, local laboratories and Hetao, a tech cooperation zone with Hong Kong.[20]

Foreign affairs

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In May 2023, he attended the eight annual meeting of the New Development Bank.[21] 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.[22]

Hong Kong

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In September 2023, Ding delivered a pre-recorded video message to the opening ceremony of a two-day forum on the Belt and Road Initiative in Hong Kong.[23] 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.[24] In March 2024, Ding met with Hong Kong deputies at the National People's Congress, where he called for swiftly enacting the Article 23 legislation.[25]

Personal life

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

Notes

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  1. ^ Chinese: 丁薛祥; pinyin: Dīng Xuēxiáng

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "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. ^ a b "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. ^ Zheng, William (26 March 2023). "China says we're open for business in renewed pledge to open markets". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Senior Chinese official urges promotion of sci-tech advancement". Xinhua News Agency. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  19. ^ Jun, Mai (27 May 2023). "Ding Xuexiang sets fast pace for China's hi-tech drive in another sign of new role". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  20. ^ Chen, Frank (16 October 2023). "Shenzhen trip, DJI visit by China's vice-premier offers 'no-limits support' amid US tech curbs". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  21. ^ Ren, Daniel (30 May 2023). "Shanghai-based New Development Bank seeks to finance more infrastructure projects in local currency to avoid forex fluctuations". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ Zhuang, Sylvie (13 September 2023). "China's Ding Xuexiang signals leading role in Communist Party's revamped Hong Kong affairs body". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  24. ^ Cheng, Lilian; Chan, Kahon (2023-11-22). "Chinese vice-premier tells Hong Kong delegation more plans in works for youth". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  25. ^ Wu, Willa; Wong, Natalie (7 March 2024). "Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang calls for swift Article 23 legislation, says it will safeguard 'core national interests' in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
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