Ding Xuexiang

Ding Xuexiang (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

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.

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. 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.

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. 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. In 2006, he became the deputy secretary-general as well as the director of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee.

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. Ding was elected to the Central Committee as an alternate member at the 18th Party Congress in November 2012.

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. 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).

Vice Premiership

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. 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".

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. His portfolio included development and reform, education, science and technology, finance, ecology and environment, statistics, and intellectual property. In the same month, he attended the China Development Forum. In May 2023, he attended the opening ceremony of the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, where he called for China to speed up technological innovation. In October 2023, Ding visited Shenzhen, where he paid a trip to DJI, local laboratories and Hetao, a tech cooperation zone with Hong Kong. In June 2024, he was revealed to be the leader of the Central Science and Technology Commission.

Foreign affairs

In May 2023, he attended the eight annual meeting of the New Development Bank. 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. In January 2025, he attended the annual World Economic Forum summit, where he gave a speech saying China does not "seek trade surplus".

Hong Kong

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. 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. 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.

Personal life

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

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ding, Xuexiang
Fudan University alumni
Politicians from Nantong
Living people
People's Republic of China politicians from Jiangsu
Chinese Communist Party politicians from Jiangsu
Alternates of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
Members of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party
Members of the 19th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party
Members of the 20th Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
1962 births
Directors of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party