Xi Jinping's China : the personal and the political

"Using the rise of Xi Jinping as a lens, examines China's political development over the past decade"-- Provided by publisher With steely determination, Xi Jinping has forged his way to absolute power at home, consolidated China's role as a global superpower, and promoted instrumental myths about his life. All the while, in many ways he has remained a mystery. Which is a problem, assert Stig Stenslie and Marte Galtung, because to understand China today, it is essential to understand Xi. Who is he? What is his vision for China? What explains his rise? How is he perceived by the masses? These are among the questions that gave rise to this book. Using Xi as a lens with which to examine China's political development over the past decade, the authors succeed in shining new light on the innermost circles of Chinese politics and on the authoritarian leader himself. Contents 5 Acknowledgments 7 1. Leadership and Politics in China 9 2. Xi’s Climb Through the Ranks 23 3. Concentrating Power 51 4. Extolling the Leader 77 5. An Ideological Renaissance 101 6. Stepping onto the World Stage 127 7. Is Xi a New Mao? 151 Appendix 1: Timeline of the People’s Republic of China 163 Appendix 2: Timeline of Xi Jinping’s Life and Career 165 Selected Bibliography 167 Index 179 About the Book 187