China’s No 5 official Cai Qi named President Xi Jinping’s new chief of staff
- Cai Qi is the most senior official to become director of the General Office of the Central Committee since Mao Zedong’s time
- 67-year-old Politburo Standing Committee member takes over from Ding Xuexiang, who is now the executive vice-premier
Cai Qi, China’s No 5 leader and ideology chief of the ruling Communist Party, has been named President Xi Jinping’s new chief of staff, the most senior official to be appointed to the role in more than 40 years.
His appointment was confirmed on Monday as Xi kicked off his three-day trip to Russia. In a report by state news agency Xinhua on Monday evening, Cai, who is a member of Xi’s entourage, was referred to in his new capacity as director of the General Office of the Central Committee.
The confirmation of Cai’s appointment comes about 10 days after Xi began an unprecedented third five-year term as president of China.
The position of chief of staff demands absolute loyalty to the president. The office is responsible for arranging important meetings, sharing, recording and archiving key documents, and has access to sensitive and confidential information.
The office is also responsible for the top leader’s bodyguards and doctors.
