Cai Qi named Central Party School president in personnel move

2026-06-06

Appointed Central Party School president

It has been learned that Cai Qi, the No. 5-ranked member of the Communist Party of China's Politburo Standing Committee, is also serving as president of the Central Party School. State-run Xinhua reported on the 5th that Cai had taken the top post at the school, which is responsible for identifying and training party cadres.

Hands out diplomas at graduation ceremony

According to Xinhua, Cai attended a graduation ceremony at the Central Party School on the 5th as president and handed diplomas to the students. Until now, the post had been held since 2017 by former Politburo member Chen Xi, a room mate of President Xi Jinping during their time at Tsinghua University, but no announcement was made about the change.

Trusted aide to Xi

Cai is 70 years old and also serves as head of the Central Office, which assists Xi, and as secretary of the Central Secretariat, which oversees party affairs. At the Central National Security Commission, which oversees China's security and public order, Xi serves as chairman and Cai as vice chairman.

Cai has served as Xi's subordinate and earned his trust since the time Xi worked in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. After serving as Beijing party chief and in other posts, he was promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee in October 2022, when Xi's leadership entered a third term.

Core institution for training party elite

The Central Party School is an institution where elites with practical experience in local governments and elsewhere study the party's history and policies. The post of president is often held by a Politburo Standing Committee member, and Xi and former President Hu Jintao have also served in the role.

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