How Xi Jinping became China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. Xi Jinping, president of China and general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party since 2012, is one of the most powerful political figures in the world. By initiating an unprecedented third term as China's leader in October, 2022, Xi has signaled that he may plan to remain in power for life - making him the first Chinese leader since Mao Zedong to hold unchecked power over the People's Republic of China.