Ding Xuexiang (Chinese: 丁薛祥; pinyin: Dīng Xuēxiáng; born 13 September 1962) is a Chinese politician who is currently the first vice premier of the People's Republic of China and the sixth-ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. He has also been leader of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs since March 2023.
Ding Xuexiang | |
|---|---|
| 丁薛祥 | |
 Ding in 2023 | |
| First Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China | |
| Assumed office 12 March 2023 | |
| Premier | Li Qiang |
| Preceded by | Han Zheng |
| Director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party | |
| In office 15 November 2017 – March 2023 | |
| Deputy | Meng Xiangfeng (executive) |
| General Secretary | Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Li Zhanshu |
| Succeeded by | Cai Qi |
| Director of the Office of the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party | |
| In office May 2013 – March 2023 | |
| General Secretary | Xi Jinping |
| Preceded by | Chen Shiju |
| Succeeded by | Cai Qi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 September 1962 Nantong, Jiangsu, China |
| Political party | Chinese Communist Party |
| Children | 1 son |
| Alma mater | |
| Cabinet | Li Qiang Government |
Considered a close confidant of CCP general secretary Xi Jinping, Ding served on Xi's staff beginning 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 graduated from the Northeast Heavy Machinery Institute in Qinghuangdao, later renamed Yanshan University, in 1982 with a degree in engineering. Ding Xuexiang got his first job at the Shanghai Research Institute of Materials (SRIM) from 1982 to 1999, and joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1984.[1] Ding Xuexiang received a master's degree in public administration from Fudan University's School of Management in 1993.[2] At the Shanghai Research Institute of Materials, Ding advanced rapidly through various research, administrative, and party positions.
Political career
Ding's rise to the Politburo was achieved primarily by climbing the ranks of the party.[2] Ding moved into politics after obtaining his first cadre position, as the deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Commission, in 1999.[3] Throughout his tenure at the SRIM, he attained leadership roles in propaganda, organization, general office, politics, and legal affairs, gaining valuable experience in all said fields. He moved up the ranks of the party apparatus in Shanghai, finishing off his time in the city as Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee in 2013.[4] He would first be elected to the Central Committee as an alternate member at the 18th Party Congress in 2012.
Politburo and Secretariat
Ding joined the Politburo and the Secretariat of the CCP in October 2017 as director of the CCP General Office while retaining the post of CCP General Secretary's office director (chief of staff).[5][6]
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.[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 July 2023 China and the European Union hold the Fourth EU-China High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue. The European delegation to China was led by Frans Timmermans, while China was represented by Ding Xuexiang. Both sides declared they will continue to cooperate in stopping climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Both sides agree to ensure the success of COP28, implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, advance the High Seas Treaty, cooperate in water policy, reach a global agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. Both sides agree to support circular economy.[17]
References
- ^ "Ding Xuexiang" (PDF). brookings.edu. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ a b Kenderdine, Tristan. "Xi Loyalist Ding Xuexiang Could Benefit From Factional Infighting". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ Wong, Edward (30 September 2015). "The 'Gatekeeper' in Xi Jinping's Inner Circle". New York Times. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ Xinhua. "Ding Xuexiang -- Member of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee". China Daily. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ "1st Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC (Chinese)". Xinhua News Agency. Archived from the original on 2017-10-25.
- ^ "China Vitae : Biography of Ding Xuexiang". www.chinavitae.com.
- ^ "Communique of the first plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee". www.gov.cn. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.