Stories of Xi Jinping

Does the city you live in make you feel cared for? The warmth of a city isn't measured by the number and size of skyscrapers gracing its skyline, but by the little details of everyday life that touch each of us: the community you live in, the hospital and school nearby, the parks you can visit, and even that bench downstairs where you can sit and rest when you're tired. China's development goal is clear: Meeting the people's aspirations for a better life is the immutable goal of Chinese modernization.

To kick off a brand new season of "Stories of Xi Jinping", we will discover together stories about Xi Jinping's governance strategy through his vision and long-term goals through important chapters of his career. As this year marks the beginning of a new five-year journey, how will Xi Jinping lead the country on the path to further modernization? Subscribe for more!

Our planet faces unprecedented ecological challenges, from extreme weather to rising seas. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposes solutions rooted in a vision of humanity and nature as a shared community of life. From clean energy projects in Kazakhstan to biodiversity protection in Mongolia and global partnerships for sustainable infrastructure, China is showing that development and ecological stewardship can go hand in hand. This episode explores how green transformation and international cooperation advance both human progress and a healthier planet.

Civilizations shine brightest when they engage, learn from one another, and embrace diversity. From facilitating the return of cultural relics in Italy to supporting archaeological cooperation in Egypt and building museums in Senegal, Chinese President Xi Jinping is putting the principles of equality, inclusiveness, and dialogue into practice. In this episode, we explore how Xi Jinping’s Global Civilization Initiative fosters understanding, harmony, and a more peaceful world.

At the UN General Assembly in 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative, calling for development that is people-centered, inclusive, and action-oriented. In this episode, we look at how the initiative supports countries in pursuing their own paths to progress — from bringing digital access to remote villages, to building the skills of young people through local training programs, to narrowing the digital divide through cross-border innovation.

From regional conflicts to cyber risks and public health challenges, the world is facing a new era of complex security threats. In 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Security Initiative, calling for common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. In this episode, we look at how China advances peaceful dialogue, supports UN peacekeeping, strengthens maritime security, and promotes cooperation on emerging issues such as data, AI, and biosecurity - offering approaches that aim to make global security more inclusive and more stable for all.

From Central Asia to Africa, and from the Global South to major powers, Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized that dialogue, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation form the foundation of lasting peace. In this episode, we explore how China advances partnerships based on amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness — and how these principles shape its ties with neighbors, developing countries, and global partners. Special thanks to Professor Zhang Suqiu with the China Communication University for his valuable input.

In a world facing rising uncertainties and global challenges, Chinese President Xi Jinping's idea of "a community with a shared future for humanity" elaborates on China’s vision of a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world. In this episode, we look at how this vision is being translated into action through development cooperation, security partnerships, and cultural exchanges that bring nations closer together.

Xi Jinping also takes on the task of China’s “Chief Diplomat”. This episode tell stories reflecting his dedication in building China’s relations with the rest of the world and expanding China’s “circle of friends”, and how Xi Jinping thoughts on global governance have brought real changes to the world that is undergoing profound transformations.

In a world of increasing turbulence and conflicts, Xi Jinping says enjoying peace is a blessing for the people, and defending peace is the responsibility of the people’s army. As such, China will always adhere to building a prosperous country defended by a strong military. This episode highlights Xi Jinping’s perspective on the responsibilities of the Chinese military, in defending the nation, protecting its people and delivering China’s contribution to world peace.

“Stories of Xi Jinping” (Season 2) tells stories about China’s great strides towards modernization, and interprets Xi Jinping’s governance philosophy, which has galvanized China’s development and inspired many around the world.

“100-1=0”, this is a formula proposed by Xi Jinping to stress the rule of law. He believes that a single wrongful conviction can overshadow the integrity of 99 fair trials. In this episode, we share examples of China’s people-centered approach in law-based governance, as well as the country’s commitment to the international rule of law under Xi’s leadership.

“What’s traditional is also fashionable!” From the preservation of the Great Wall to the rekindling of market interest in ancient ethnic embroidery, Xi Jinping is passionate about promoting China’s cultural legacies while he works to spark dialogue and mutual growth across nations and civilizations. For him, culture deserved to be preserved, and shared. In this episode, we shine light on Xi Jinping commitment to fostering cultural exchanges between China and the global community.

“If we humanity do not fail nature, nature will not fail us.” In Xi Jinping’s view, the country’s continuous dedication to ecological conservation and environmental protection injects fresh energy into China’s high-quality growth. In this episode, we learn about how Xi Jinping has led China’s green transformation on its path towards modernization, and how such development has improved the environment and brought real benefits to the people.

At the end of 2020, eight years since Xi Jinping took office as China’s top leader, China eradicated absolute poverty on schedule. Under Xi’s leadership, China’s economy is now transitioning from a phase of high-speed growth to one focused on high-quality development. In this episode, we delve into details of how China expands the “cake” of social wealth, while trying to ensure its fair and equitable distribution, to give people a greater sense of gain.

In December 2012, Xi Jinping visited Guangdong in his first inspection trip outside Beijing, after he was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, sending a clear message that China will continue to push forward reform and opening-up. In the next tens years and more, China rolled out more than 2,000 reform plans under Xi’s leadership, many of them directly related to people’s livelihood. In July, 2024, China reiterated its determination on all-round reform and high-standard opening up, as the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted a resolution to further deepen reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. In this bonus episode, we will hear stories of how Xi Jinping has been leading China's reform and opening-up.

Over the decades during which Xi Jinping worked at various levels of the government across China, he has always made plans for the present with the future in mind. In this episode, we will hear stories about Xi’s strategic thinking in economic and social development, and how the plans were carried through to completion.

Every step in China’s fight against COVID-19 in the past three years was a test on the wisdom and courage of Xi Jinping, the top policymaker of a country of over 1.4 billion people. But this was not the first time for Xi Jinping to lead a fight against a pandemic. In this episode, there will be details regarding Xi’s decisiveness in policy-making in the face of epidemic outbreaks.

By the end of 2020, China had lifted all of its nearly 99 million impoverished rural residents out of absolute poverty, winning the fight on schedule. The last mile is always the hardest. Lifting huge population out of absolute poverty has been a great testament to Xi Jinping’s capability in solving real-world issues. In this episode, we will hear stories about how Xi Jinping tackled one problem after another to lead the Chinese people out of poverty.

As China pursues its own model of modernization, Xi Jinping says China will give priority to environmental protection and promote green lifestyles, to ensure sustainable development and create a better future for all. In this episode, we will explore how Xi Jinping plans and actualizes the building of harmony between humanity and nature and how his thoughts regarding “Ecological Civilization” gradually came into form.

While working at different localities, Xi Jinping travelled extensively to conduct in-depth research and field studies, to better understand people’s actual living conditions at the grassroots level and formulate the best solutions to solve their problems. In this episode, we will follow Xi Jinping’s footsteps in conducting field research and find out how he has lived up to the trust and expectations of the people.

As the Chinese economy upgrades from rapid expansion to high-quality development, Xi Jinping says innovation will remain at the heart of China’s modernization drive. Xi has long been concerned with “bottlenecks” in core technology in key fields, encouraged basic research for self-reliance in science and technology, and has also valued talent as the primary resource of growth. In this episode, we will explore Xi’s firm belief in the power of innovation, and how he has brought together strength for China to achieve greater self-reliance in science and technology.

Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, China has decided on the strategy of strengthening the country through cultivating talent, as Xi believes talent is the key in promoting economic and social development. In this episode, we will get to know Xi Jinping’s philosophy regarding talent and how much he treasures talented people in China’s development.

Looking at Xi Jinping’s decades-long political career, working with different interest groups and diverse ways of thinking has always been part of his job. Over the years, he has shown mastery in communicating and coordinating with various political parties, social organizations, ethnic groups, and people from all walks of life. In this episode, we will explore how Xi Jinping has ensured effective communication with all parties concerned, to form a concerted effort in realizing the Chinese Dream.

Over the course of several decades, Xi Jinping has gone from a young local official to China’s top leader, but his devotion to the people has never changed. For Xi, “putting the people first” means actions to be taken. In this episode, we will get an idea of how Xi Jinping won people’s trust and respect, which turned into greater strength in uniting the Chinese people to strive forward.

In the face of a changing and challenging world, doubts and expectations abound from all sides as to whether or not China would continue its opening-up policy and share with the world more development opportunities. Xi Jinping answers in the affirmative. In this episode, we will look at Xi Jinping’s enthusiasm in promoting international exchanges and cooperation, and better understand his global vision and his perspective on China’s relationship with the rest of the world.

Xi Jinping has always emphasized that government officials should cultivate their characters and virtues to set examples of honesty and integrity. How did he become a hard-working and down-to-earth person with strict self-discipline? What requirements does he impose on his family members and fellow colleagues in conducting themselves? In this episode, we will hear stories about Xi Jinping’s personal and family life, to offer a closer look at him, not just as a leader, but as an ordinary man.

Xi Jinping loves to read and to write and is known by many as well versed in literature. He once said, “Reading is my biggest hobby. It’s a way of life for me.” What are his favorite books? What has he written? And how does he make time for reading? In this episode, we will hear stories about Xi Jinping as a reader and as a writer.

From Liangjiahe, a village on the barren Loess Plateau in northwest China, to Zhongnanhai, the center of China’s top leadership in Beijing, Xi Jinping went from a junior village official to China’s top leader, striving one step at a time. The “Stories of Xi Jinping” explores Xi’s life and work experiences while serving in various government positions at different levels across China, and how they have influenced his leadership style. The podcast also explains the core principles that have guided Xi Jinping’s decisions and actions as a national leader. Follow the “Stories of Xi Jinping” podcast series to better understand China’s future path and how Xi’s leadership has contributed to it.