When Xi Jinping became the supreme leader of Communist China in 2012, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elders expected him to be a compliant puppet. Many outside the party, including foreign analysts, hoped he would introduce economic or limited political reforms, given his father’s reputation as a “reformer.” However, Xi’s tenure has proven these expectations wrong. A new book about his father sheds light on the true nature of Xi Jinping and what drives his leadership.

The book, The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping, by Joseph Torigian, an associate professor at American University and a research fellow at the Hoover History Lab at Stanford, explores the life of Xi Zhongxun (1913–2002). Zhongxun joined the Communist revolution as a teenager and eventually became vice premier of Communist China, overseeing the United Front, one of the party’s propaganda arms. He helped launch three special economic zones in Guangdong province during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

However, he was not actually a “reformer” and frequently expressed skepticism toward economic reforms. He prioritized ideological control over development — a stance that his son, Xi Jinping, continues to uphold today.

One of the compelling strengths of this book lies in its thorough and precise accounts of the CCP’s lengthy history of brutal purges, propelled by fierce internal power struggles and factional conflicts. It illustrates how the party displayed equal ruthlessness toward its own members as it did against external foes. Notably, in the 1930s, Zhongxun narrowly escaped execution by his comrades during one of these terrifying purges.

Nearly thirty years later, Zhongxun suffered again at the height of China’s notorious Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). He was kicked out of Beijing and sent to work at a steel factory in an impoverished area. In 1967, he was kidnapped by a group of Red Guards and brought to a struggle session in a university auditorium:

Students forced Xi into the “jet-plane” position with his arms twisted behind his back. They placed a sign weighing more than ten kilograms (about 18 pounds) around his neck with the words “Three-anti element Xi Zhongxun.” Two burly students pushed his head so low that it hovered less than two feet from the ground…more than ten students rushed on stage to punch and kick Xi.

Zhongxun suffered serious physical injuries, including the loss of hearing in one ear, and he pleaded with Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou Enlai for help, drawing attention to his loyal service to the party as their deputy. However, neither responded.

It’s essential to remember that Zhongxun had previously betrayed his comrades during party purges. He lured fellow members into traps that led to their imprisonment on false charges and refused to help them, resulting in some executions.

Zhongxun rationalized his actions by claiming that the party’s interests should always prevail over family bonds, friendships, and even the truth. He understood that the party operates like a ruthless machine, stripping its members of their humanity. In this type of regime, survival often requires one to sacrifice personal connections and endorse devastating policies as long as the party demands it.

Zhongxun’s family endured severe hardships during the Cultural Revolution, including the tragic suicide of one of his daughters. In 1967, 13-year-old Xi Jinping was targeted by Red Guards during a struggle session at the Communist Party school where his mother, Qi Xin, worked. Amid cries of “Down with Xi Jinping,” he shockingly saw his mother raise her hand in condemnation against him.

After escaping confinement at the school and returning home, he faced further rejection; his mother denied him food and reported him to the authorities. With no place to go, he spent the night with an elderly worker, only to be arrested again the next day and sent to a poor area for labor reeducation. Experiences like these must have deeply influenced Xi Jinping, instilling a powerful lesson: Trust is a luxury, even among those who should be closest to you.

Many expected Xi Jinping to resent the party due to his family’s hardships and to advocate for economic and political reform when he came to power. Surprisingly, like his father, Jinping has prioritized the party’s interests over China’s economic growth and the freedoms of its citizens.

What accounts for this? In Xi Zhongxun’s biography, Torigian humbly avoids directly linking the father’s experiences to the son’s actions. However, readers who are drawn to this book for insights into Xi Jinping’s character can find some compelling clues.

Xi Jinping’s life has been shaped profoundly by his father’s legacy, both positively and negatively. Many observers describe Jinping as lacking distinct talents; he does not embody the charisma of Chairman Mao, the diplomatic finesse of Premier Zhou, or the pragmatic approach of Deng Xiaoping. However, the tumultuous rise and fall of his father, Zhongxun, likely taught Jinping that to survive and thrive in the communist regime, one must secure power through loyalty to the party, not rebellion.

According to the book, in a rare moment of introspection, Xi observed: “For those who are distant from power, it seems mysterious and fresh. What I perceived was much deeper. I didn’t just see the glory and applause; I also witnessed the cowsheds [used during the Cultural Revolution] and the fickleness of the world.” Given the relentless and brutal internal power struggles within the party, it’s clear why Xi Jinping would reason that achieving the highest echelons of power was the safest course for himself and his family.

The book identifies three key factors that propelled Xi Jinping’s rise to power. First, Jinping adeptly crafted an image of quiet obedience, masking his true ambitions to gain the trust of influential party elders. Second, his father, Xi Zhongxun, actively worked to garner support for his son’s political ascent, demonstrating the advantage of connections in a closed and corrupt political system.

Lastly, despite the party’s claims against feudalism, it functions like a traditional feudal family, adhering to an unspoken rule: Only the offspring of the original revolutionary leaders are allowed to assume the most powerful roles within the party and the nation. This ensures the party’s grip on authority remains unchallenged, and the one-party system faces no substantial threats. Like his father, Xi Jinping experienced suffering because of the party, yet the same party also conferred upon him significant power and prestige. Ultimately, he has emerged as the formidable leader that a party of this nature requires.

This book is an impressive blend of thorough research and engaging writing. While it generally follows a chronological structure, each section is organized around specific topics. This approach, combined with the natural overlap in timelines, may lead to some confusion for readers who aren’t well-versed in China’s history. Despite this minor drawback, the book is essential reading. It provides crucial insights into the CCP and its current leader. Armed with this understanding, we can better devise strategies to effectively counter the CCP and Xi Jinping’s assertiveness.

Helen Raleigh, CFA, is an American entrepreneur, writer, and speaker. She's a senior contributor at The Federalist. Her writings appear in other national media, including The Wall Street Journal and Fox News. Helen is the author of several books, including "Confucius Never Said" and “Backlash: How Communist China's Aggression Has Backfired." Her latest book is "Not Outsiders: Asian Americans’ political activism from the 19th century to today.” Follow her on Twitter: @HRaleighspeaks.