WHAT IT TAKES TO BE CHINA'S LEADER. A TOUGH JOURNEY.

Unlike so-called "democratic countries," the Chinese people value experience more than votes or other abilities for government officials. From the Sui Dynasty on (1400 years ago), officials were selected and promoted by examination, not by blood or birth.

In today's China, if you want to enter politics, you have to take a hard and competitive road. Whether you come from a grassroots family or a political family, you have to go through every step. Only in this way, you can reach the top of power, like President Xi.

First, you have to own a college degree, at least for most Chinese govt officials. You have to take the national civil service examination and be admitted. In 2019, 92000 people took the exam and 14537 were admitted, with the admission rate of 1.58%.

The ruling party in China is the CPC. In addition, there are 8 other parties. You have to join one of them. If your ideal is to become the supreme leader of China, most Chinese join the CPC with 90 million members. 

There, you've become a grassroot official. Your administrative level is "staff", while President Xi's administrative level is "national level principal". There are 10 levels of gap between you and President Xi. Each level requires several years and multiple examinations.

In China, "Organization Department" at all levels are responsible for the management of civil servants. Every civil servant has to take part in the grade assessment every year. The assessment is usually conducted by your colleagues, subordinates and superiors by voting. The result of the assessment is related to your future.

If you work hard and are lucky enough, you will become the highest official in a district or county. As President Xi did in 1983, he became the highest official in Zhengding County. You have to own the experience to manage hundreds of thousands or even millions of people.

Next, you have to become a city official in charge of industry or agriculture or education or commerce. Then, you become a mayor. It will take you another few years. In 1990, President Xi became the top leader of Fuzhou City, Fujian Province.

Now, fight for the governor. You'll need to repeat your previous work. The difference is that your responsibilities are greater and your work is more onerous. In 2000, President Xi became governor of Fujian Province. 

After becoming the governor of a relatively small province, you have to be a governor of a relatively large province. Or you can go to border areas, such as Xinjiang or Tibet. President Hu Jintao, the former Supreme Leader of China, was once the governor of Tibet.

The Political Bureau is one of the central leading bodies of the CPC. You must be a member of it. Members of the Political Bureau are elected by the plenary session of the Central Committee.

Deputies to the National People's Congress ( NPC) are members of the highest organ of state power in China and are elected in accordance with law. You also have to be one of the NPCs.

When you become a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, it usually consists of seven or nine people, which means that you have entered the core of China's state power. In 2007, President Xi was elected.

In 2012, President Xi succeeded after spending 40 years on the mission to become china's supreme leader. It is a difficult road for you to become China's top leader. I call it Chinese style democracy. It is based on a strict selection system and the election of deputies to the people's Congress at all levels.