A decade under the rule of Xi Jinping has seen extraordinary change in China. Over his 10 years as leader Xi has tightened his personal grip on the Communist party, and the party’s grip on the country. He has weeded out rivals and enemies through anti-corruption purges, and cracked down on grassroots dissent by tightening censorship and surveillance. He has also overseen massive economic growth. Xi has sought to reduce China’s reliance on exports and increase domestic consumption, ordered a military overhaul and modernisation, and claimed the eradication of absolute poverty among all 1.4 billion people. As he looks set to secure an unprecedented third term in power, Xi will be battling a slowing economy and an ageing population.
