TheXi Jinping faction (Chinese:习近平派系;pinyin:Xí Jìnpíng pàixì),^[1] also referred to as theXi Clan (simplified Chinese:习家军;traditional Chinese:習家軍;pinyin:Xí Jiājūn),^[2] is a term used bypolitical analysts to describe a network of officials within theChinese Communist Party (CCP) closely associated withGeneral SecretaryXi Jinping.

The faction encompasses officials who advanced their political careers under Xi's patronage during his earlier leadership tenures in various provinces. Those who served under Xi during his time asParty Secretary of Zhejiang (2002–2007) are often referred to as the New Zhijiang Army (simplified Chinese:之江新军;traditional Chinese:之江新軍;pinyin:Zhījiāng Xīnjūn), while those with prior affiliations to Xi from his period inFujian are collectively known as the Fujian clique.

The "new army" refers to people who were closely associated with Xi during his tenure in Zhejiang and identify with his political views, and who have since then taken on prominent political posts at the provincial level or in central party and state organs.

The term was first widely used by Ma Haoliang (马浩亮), editor at Hong Kong-based newspaperTa Kung Pao in an article entitled theNew Zhijiang Army of Chinese Politics. The termZhijiang refers to theQiantang River, which runs through the province, but is often used as a poetic reference for the greater Zhejiang region. The term was initially used as title to Xi Jinping's bookZhijiang Xinyu (之江新语), a book compiling the political philosophies of Xi Jinping during his five-year term as party chief of Zhejiang, published in 2007.^[3]

The Fujian clique refers to a group of Chinese politicians closely allied with Xi, who developed this network of trusted allies during his time inFujian from 1985 to 2002^[4] and has appointed them to influential roles and positions within Chinese politics since he became leader of China,^[5] particularly within the military and police.^[6] The Fujian clique is one of the two most important political groupings in the Xi administration alongside the New Zhijiang Army.^[7]

• Wang Xiaohong,State Councilor andMinister of Public Security,^[7][8][9]
• Deng Weiping, member of the Party Committee of theMinistry of Public Security,^[8]
• He Weidong,Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission,^[5][10][11]
• Zhuang Rongwen, Director of theCyberspace Administration of China,^[12]
• He Lifeng,Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China,^[7]
• Cai Qi,First Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party,^[7][13]
• Miao Hua, Director of thePolitical Work Department of the Central Military Commission^[14]
• Zhao Keshi, Director of theLogistic Support Department of the Central Military Commission (2012–2017)^[15]
• Cai Yingting, Commander ofNanjing Military Region (2012–2016)^[15]
• Huang Kunming,Communist Party Secretary ofGuangdong^[16]

Other politicians have been named by Chinese-language media as associates of Xi Jinping. They have known or worked under him as a result of their regional tenures inShaanxi province (Xi's "home province"), the southeast (Zhejiang andFujian provinces), or throughTsinghua University, where Xi spent time in his youth. Those named includeWang Qishan,Li Zhanshu,Liu He,Chen Xi,He Yiting,Wang Xiaohong,Li Shulei, andHuang Xingguo (since disgraced). In the military,Liu Yuan,Zhang Youxia, andLiu Yazhou have been named as some of Xi's top associates.^[17]

• Shanghai clique
• Tuanpai

• Factions of the Chinese Communist Party
• Politics of Zhejiang
• Xi Jinping

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