USCSSO Spring Conference 2023 Segment One Xi Jinping Where He Came From, Where He's Going

On Monday, March 27, the US-China Strategic Studies Organization (now China Affairs Forum) hosted its second annual Spring Conference in the Elliott School City View Room. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., 50+ attendees experienced the Spring Conference in three segments: a moderated discussion with a guest speaker from American University, a catered intermission accompanied by a research showcase highlighting 6 USCSSO projects, and an advice panel and networking session featuring three young professionals currently working in international affairs industries like D.C. thinktanks, departments in the federal government, or private sector corporations.

The evening began with the moderated speaker discussion Xi Jinping: Where He Came From, Where He’s Going that highlighted three main influencers — Jiang Zemin, Xi Jinping’s father Xi Zhongxun, and Bo Xilai — on the formation of modern Xi Jinping thought. In October 2022, Xi Jinping secured an unprecedented third term during the 20th National Congress of the CCP. Since he came to power in 2012, Xi has grown increasingly ideological and engaging in Maoist maxims, which diverge from the West's expectation of liberalization as he was the appointed protege of Jiang Zemin. What are the key influences during his career and life? How they have or failed to shape his personal philosophy in governance? What will guide Xi Jinping in his third term and what is the future of China?

Dr. John Torigian, an Assistant Professor at the School of International Service at American University, and Dylan Shepard, a Director of Research in USCSSO, attempted to answer the previously mentioned questions in their conversation on China’s political leadership, which was also live-streamed for online attendees.

This recording of the hour-long discussion was published for the viewing of those who were unable to attend our Spring Conference in March.

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