Cai Qi solidifies role as Xi Jinping's top aide and party influencer

Cai Qi, a 71‑year‑old member of the Politburo Standing Committee, holds four key positions in the Chinese Communist Party: head of the General Office that controls Xi’s agenda, chief of the Central Guard Bureau responsible for senior leaders' security, senior official in the Central Secretariat overseeing implementation of party decisions, and president of the Central Party School that trains future cadres. His long‑standing partnership with Xi dates back to their work together in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, and he now appears alongside the president at public events, signalling his elevated status.

Analysts describe Cai as the second most powerful figure in China. The New York Times cited former U.S. China adviser Julian Gewirtz, who said Cai’s ability to speak for Xi is “the rarest and most valuable resource” in elite politics. Cai also gained public attention through an active Weibo account in the early 2000s, amassing over 10 million followers and using the platform to convey party messages, a rarity for a senior official.

His expanding portfolio, especially the recent appointment to head the Central Party School, positions him to shape the ideological loyalty and career paths of the next generation of Chinese leaders, reinforcing Xi’s influence ahead of a potential fourth term.