The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping - Hardcover

China's leader, Xi Jinping, is one of the most powerful individuals in the world―and one of the least understood. Much can be learned, however, about both Xi Jinping and the nature of the party he leads from the memory and legacy of his father, the revolutionary Xi Zhongxun (1913–2002).

The Legacy of Xi Zhongxun

• The elder Xi served the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for more than seven decades.
• He worked closely with prominent leaders Zhou Enlai and Hu Yaobang.
• Xi Zhongxun played a pivotal role in building the Communist base area that saved Mao Zedong in 1935.
• He initiated the Special Economic Zones that propelled China into the reform era after Mao's death.
• He led the Party's United Front efforts toward Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Taiwanese.
• While initially seeking to avoid violence in 1989, he ultimately supported the Party's crackdown on the Tiananmen protesters.

About The Party's Interests Come First

The Party's Interests Come First is the first biography of Xi Zhongxun written in English. This work is both a sweeping narrative of the Chinese revolution and the early decades of the People's Republic of China, as well as a deeply personal exploration of identity within a larger political framework.

Key Features of the Biography

• Extensive Research: The book draws on a wealth of new documents, interviews, diaries, and periodicals.
• Vivid Storytelling: Author Joseph Torigian brings to life the story of Xi Zhongxun, a man who dedicated his life to navigating the tension between his personal feelings and the Party's demands.
• Insight into the CCP: Through Xi Zhongxun's experiences, the book reveals the extraordinary organizational, ideological, and coercive power of the CCP―and highlights the profound human suffering that accompanies it.

This biography offers a unique perspective on Xi Jinping through the lens of his father's life, providing a deeper understanding of both the man and the party he leads.