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cover of episode China Across CSIS: The Influence of Xi Jinping’s Father, Xi Zhongxun

China Across CSIS: The Influence of Xi Jinping’s Father, Xi Zhongxun

2025/6/26
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Joseph Torigian: 通过撰写关于习仲勋的书，可以深入了解习近平如何看待世界，但更重要的是了解中国共产党是如何运作的。因为我们已经有了关于毛泽东和邓小平的传记，但我们没有真正关注那些负责将高层领导制定的方针转化为实际政策的副手。习仲勋在统一战线、宗教政策以及涉藏、涉疆等问题上都发挥了重要作用。他曾五次受到党内迫害，了解他为何仍然如此忠诚于党，对于理解布尔什维克政治组织的本质至关重要。文化大革命后，党意识到面临危机，需要通过改革来挽救革命。在探索经济和国家关系的新模式，以及寻求与少数民族的新平衡方面，习仲勋都走在前列。尽管党吸取了毛泽东时代强人统治的教训，但未能克服邓小平的独裁倾向。习近平深受父亲的影响，统一台湾是他的未竟事业。习近平认为，共产党是团结中国、重塑中国世界地位的有效工具，吃苦是奉献和牺牲的一部分。他以文明的视角看待历史，认为自我革命是维护中华文化5000年的关键，并通过讲述父辈的故事，向年轻一代灌输价值观，以确保中国走向伟大。习近平对自我革命持谨慎态度，因为他既认识到意识形态的重要性，也了解过分强调意识形态的危险。他试图在避免极端激进主义和保持斗争精神之间找到平衡。总的来说，习仲勋的生平对中国共产党运作及习近平思想产生了深远影响。

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This chapter explores Xi Zhongxun's life, focusing on his multiple purges within the CCP and his significant contributions to the party's policies. It highlights his roles in the United Front, ethnic policies, and economic reforms, offering insights into the functioning of the party and the values instilled in Xi Jinping.
  • Xi Zhongxun was purged five times by the CCP.
  • His involvement in United Front work, ethnic policies, and economic reforms shaped China's trajectory.
  • Xi Zhongxun's dedication to the CCP despite persecution reveals the nature of a Bolshevik organization.

Shownotes Transcript

In this episode from the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Joseph Torigian joins host Bonny Lin to discuss his newly released book, The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping. Dr. Torigian describes the life and struggle of Xi Zhongxun as a party official during the Cultural revolution and specifically the impact he had on the life and political views of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Dr. Torigian notes that his book utilizes the story of Xi Zhongxun’s life as a lens to better understand how the Party works and why both Xi Zhongxun and Xi Jinping believe certain values, such as those of sacrifice and suffering for the greater good, are highly important. He describes how Xi Jinping was viewed positively by his father due to the idea that his son had “eaten more bitterness” than other children, even going as far as to state that Xi Jinping had “the makings of a premier.”

Dr. Torigian describes how deeply involved Xi Zhongxun was during his time in the party on the United Front, ethnic policy in Tibet and Xinjiang, and policy towards Taiwan, and how, because of his father’s dedication to these issues, Xi Jinping views them as personal unfinished business. Finally, Dr. Torigian describes how Xi Zhongxun’s influence on his son has left Xi Jinping with a Hobbesian view of the world and with the idea that the Party is the best tool for helping China assert its rightful place in the world and secure its inevitable march towards greatness.