By: Ovais Ali Khokhar, Chairman, Board of Experts, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad
Introduction: China became an independent nation in 1949. Its economy, however, truly accelerated after the 1979 market reforms. For decades, the country faced challenges such as extreme poverty, despite averaging 9.5% annual GDP growth.
In 2013, President Xi Jinping took office with a clear vision—eradicate absolute poverty and drive China toward high-quality economic growth. In just eight years, more than 100 million people were lifted out of poverty. This article explores China’s journey under President Xi’s leadership, his reforms, and their impact on the nation and the world.
Xi Jinping: From Early Life to Presidency
Xi Jinping was born on 15 June 1953 in Fuping County, Shanxi Province. His father, Xi Zhongxun, served as Deputy Premier of China and was a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Inspired by his father’s dedication, Xi spent seven years in the rural village of Liangjiahe during his youth.
He joined the CPC in 1974, earned a degree in Chemical Engineering (1975–1979), and later studied Law (Marxism) at Tsinghua University. Xi’s early career included roles in Zhengding County, Xiamen, Ningde, Fuzhou, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.
By 2007, he joined the Politburo Standing Committee. In 2008, he became Vice President of China, and by 2013, he was elected President of the People’s Republic of China.
Major Reforms Under Xi Jinping
Eradicating Absolute Poverty: China’s fight against poverty began decades ago, but President Xi took it to completion. He launched targeted policies, involving local governments to support poor households.
From 2013 to 2021, China invested over $246 billion in poverty eradication. The result:
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98.99 million people lifted out of absolute poverty, 832 counties and 128,000 villages removed from the poverty list, Contribution to 70% of global poverty reduction
Advancing Foreign Policy
President Xi adopted a proactive foreign policy. Initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) connected China with over 152 countries.
China hosted major international summits including APEC, BRICS, ASEAN, and Belt and Road Forums, strengthening global partnerships in trade, security, and development.
Driving Economic Growth
Under Xi’s leadership, China’s GDP grew from $8.3 trillion in 2012 to $17.73 trillion in 2021. The Gross National Income (GNI) per capita more than doubled, from $5,910 in 2012 to $12,850 in 2022.
Trade with BRI partner countries surged from 10.11 trillion yuan in 2013 to 18.95 trillion yuan in 2022. Job creation also remained strong, with 130 million new urban jobs generated in the last decade.
A Vision for the Future
President Xi Jinping continues to guide China toward modernization and high-quality development. His commitment to “opening the country wider to the world” reflects in regional connectivity projects and free trade zones.
China’s “new normal” growth model emphasizes sustainability, efficiency, and quality over sheer speed. This marks a shift from extensive growth to a more refined economic strategy.
Conclusion: The last decade has transformed China into a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous nation. From eradicating absolute poverty to advancing global partnerships, President Xi’s reforms have left a lasting impact.
Through initiatives like the BRI, China is not only boosting economic and infrastructure development but also promoting regional peace and stability—cementing its role as a major global power.
