ChinaPower

The Influence of Xi Jinping’s Father, Xi Zhongxun: A Conversation with Dr. Joseph Torigian

Jun 5, 2025
Dr. Joseph Torigian, a research fellow and author, dives deep into the life of Xi Zhongxun, the father of Xi Jinping, and his monumental influence on China's current political landscape. The discussion reveals how Xi Zhongxun's struggles during the Cultural Revolution fostered values in his son like sacrifice for the greater good. Torigian outlines Xi Zhongxun’s pivotal roles in ethnic policies and Taiwan relations, presenting a lens to understand Xi Jinping's aspirations and his Hobbesian worldview rooted in his father's legacy.
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INSIGHT

Xi Zhongxun's Party Role Insight

  • Xi Zhongxun was pivotal in turning top leaders' directives into real policy, especially on united front and ethnic issues.
  • His work gives key insights into how the Chinese Communist Party operates below the surface.
ANECDOTE

Xi Zhongxun's Favoritism for Xi Jinping

  • Xi Zhongxun favored Xi Jinping for overcoming hardship and showing cleverness.
  • He believed Xi had "the makings of a premier" and pushed him to deeply study revolutionary texts.
INSIGHT

Xi Jinping's Party Loyalty

  • Xi Jinping views the CCP as historically inevitable and essential for China's rejuvenation.
  • Despite his father's suffering under the party, loyalty and sacrifice remain core values he embraces.
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