Ding Xuexiang

Ding Xuexiang was born in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on 13 September 1961. He enrolled in college in 1977 at the age of 16, graduating from the Northeast Heavy Machinery Institute in Qinhuangdao, later renamed Yanshan University, in 1982 with a degree in engineering. Ding got his first job at the Shanghai Research Institute of Materials (SRIM) in 1982, where he first served as a research fellow. He joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1984, and also became the Communist Youth League secretary at the SRIM that year. In 1988, he became the director of the institute's General Office and Propaganda Department, later becoming the director of the No. 9 Department in 1992. He enrolled in the Fudan University School of Management in 1989, gaining a master's degree in science and management via part-time studies in 1994. In 1994, he became a deputy director of the institute, and eventually became its director and Party secretary in 1996, serving in those positions until 1999. == Political career ==

Ding moved into politics after obtaining his first cadre position, as the deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, in 1999. He became the head of Zhabei District of Shanghai in 2001. In 2004, he was appointed as the deputy director of the Organization Department of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and the director of the Personnel Bureau of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. Ding was elected to the Central Committee as an alternate member at the 18th Party Congress in November 2012. == Vice Premiership ==

Following the first plenary session of the 20th CCP Central Committee in October 2022, Ding was elevated to the CCP Politburo Standing Committee, the top decision-making body in China. Upon his nomination, Voice of America described Ding as "loyal and strong in coordination, but lacking experience in macroeconomic management and other people's livelihood affairs". Ding succeeded Han Zheng as the first-ranking vice premier of China and leader of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs in March 2023. His portfolio included development and reform, education, science and technology, finance, ecology and environment, statistics, and intellectual property. In the same month, he attended the China Development Forum. In May 2023, he attended the opening ceremony of the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, where he called for China to speed up technological innovation. In October 2023, Ding visited Shenzhen, where he paid a trip to DJI, local laboratories and Hetao, a tech cooperation zone with Hong Kong. In June 2024, he was revealed to be the leader of the Central Science and Technology Commission. Foreign affairs In May 2023, he attended the eight annual meeting of the New Development Bank. In July 2023, China and the European Union held the 4th EU-China High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue. The European delegation to China was led by Frans Timmermans, while China was represented by Ding. Both sides declared they will continue to cooperate in combating climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Both sides agreed to ensure the success of COP28, implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, advance the High Seas Treaty, cooperate in water policy, and reach a global agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. Both sides also agreed to support a circular economy. In November 2023, Ding attended COP28 in Dubai. In November 2024, he visited Singapore and met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, attending the 20th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. In January 2025, he attended the annual World Economic Forum summit, where he gave a speech saying China does not "seek trade surplus". In November 2025, Ding attended COP30 in Belém, Brazil. Hong Kong In September 2023, Ding delivered a pre-recorded video message to the opening ceremony of a two-day forum on the Belt and Road Initiative in Hong Kong. In November 2023, Ding met about 150 youth representatives from Hong Kong and Macao for the first time in Beijing and conveyed Xi Jinping's affection for young people. He pledged to support youth development in Hong Kong with more "concrete work", including on study and job opportunities, starting up businesses and housing issues, addressing young people as the "new blood" for the nation's development. In March 2024, Ding met with Hong Kong deputies at the National People's Congress, where he called for swiftly enacting the Article 23 legislation. In March 2025, Ding addressed the Hong Kong deputies at the NPC, praising Hong Kong for economic "breakthroughs" in 2024 while also calling for an emphasis on security. == Personal life ==

Ding's wife previously worked in the education sector. The couple have a son, who works in the China Development Bank. == Notes ==