Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, accompanied by two of his most influential political and foreign policy figures: Cai Qi and Wang Yi. Their presence alongside President Xi is particularly significant as India and China navigate ongoing efforts to stabilize bilateral relations following years of heightened tensions.
Cai Qi: Xi Jinping's Close Political Confidant
At 70 years old, Cai Qi is one of President Xi Jinping's closest political confidants and holds a powerful position within the Communist Party of China (CPC). He serves as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and is the director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. These roles place him at the very heart of the party’s administrative and organizational machinery.
Reuters has previously described Cai as Xi’s “de facto chief of staff,” underscoring his close relationship with the Chinese president and his vital role in coordinating the party apparatus around Xi. Their political ties date back to their overlapping careers in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. Cai’s ascent accelerated in 2017 when he joined the Politburo, the CPC’s second-highest decision-making body, at the beginning of Xi’s second term as party leader.
His influence has continued to expand, notably with his appointment in June as head of the CPC Central Party School and the National Academy of Governance. Cai’s role at the BRICS Summit extends beyond that of a senior official; he is a pivotal figure in Xi’s political establishment and central to the functioning of the party leadership.
Wang Yi: Beijing's Veteran Foreign Policy Architect
Wang Yi, 72, has been a central figure in China's foreign policy for over a decade. Appointed foreign minister in 2013, he has remained one of Beijing’s most prominent interlocutors on the international stage. Currently, he holds three major positions: a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and minister of foreign affairs.
A native of Beijing, Wang joined the CPC in May 1981. His extensive tenure at the highest levels of China’s foreign policy establishment has made him indispensable in Beijing’s engagement with major global powers and international organizations. A 2022 New York Times profile characterized Wang as a “campaigner” for Xi Jinping’s “global ambitions,” reflecting his crucial role in advancing China’s diplomatic agenda.
Given that President Xi is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Wang’s presence is particularly significant due to his central role in China’s diplomatic establishment.
Together, Cai Qi and Wang Yi represent two critical pillars of Xi’s leadership—party and political administration on one side, and foreign policy on the other—as Beijing seeks to manage its engagement with New Delhi during a sensitive period in bilateral relations.