Xi Jinping in Bloomberg.com

On Budget & Economy: Less than 3% of world economy in 1977, more than 17% in 2020

"China should enhance the internal vitality and driving force of economic growth."
-- Xi Jinping in 2012

The government declared it had eliminated "extreme poverty" last year and turned China into a "moderately prosperous society." While critics say the size of China's economy has been overstated, decades of uninterrupted annual growth have propelled it from accounting for less than 3% of the global economy in 1977 to more than 17% last year.

"We must be firm in our resolve to fight against corruption wherever it occurs."
--Xi Jinping in 2013

When Xi took power he launched a vast anti-corruption campaign, punishing deserving officials and businesspeople but also peeling off rivals. More than 4 million officials have since been taken down, including 254 high-ranking ones.

On Homeland Security: Supports party's goal of building a strong military

"Building a people's army that follows the party's command, can fight and win, and has excellent conduct is the party's goal of building a strong military."
--Xi Jinping in 2013

The official defense budget has been less than 2% of GDP since at least 2008, but as the economy keeps growing that's meant more money to pay for a modern military that's expanding its navy, air force, missile force and reportedly increasing the number of nuclear warheads it possesses.

"We will focus on building China's image as a major civilized country."
--Xi Jinping in 2013

China's rising economic power has dovetailed with a deterioration in its standing among Western nations. Pew Research Center surveys show attitudes toward China becoming more unfavorable in recent years. The reasons are numerous: human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, vagueness over the origins of Covid-19, trade wars with the U.S. and Australia, a border spat with India... and increasing hostility toward Taiwan.

On Social Security: Improve public services and pensions for older citizens