Throughout the reform area, top Chinese leaders have usually risen to their positions after gaining substantial experience as provincial-level leaders. Top leaders have also drawn from the pool of provincial leaders in building their factional inner circles and regional power bases. Having advanced his political career primarily through county, municipal, and provincial leadership positions in four important province-level administrations over 25 years, Xi Jinping has some advantages in this regard. Xi’s broad provincial leadership experience has helped him to cultivate a web of mentor-protégé ties. This installment in the series focuses on the personal and political bonds Xi established during his tenure in various localities and analyzes how these protégés are now positioned as supporters in Xi’s effort to consolidate his power and carry out his policy agenda.
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Xi Jinping’s Inner Circle—Part 3: Political Protégés from the Provinces
