Husband Relying on Wife's Status: The Rise of Xi Jinping's Son-in-Law

Xi Jinping's greatest concern is protecting his family. (People News)

[People News] Recently, various versions of Xi Jinping's daughter, Xi Mingze, have been circulating online, particularly her recent photos. This renewed interest stems from an incident on April 15, 2025, during Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam, when a girl resembling him acted as a translator, sparking widespread discussion. Following this, prominent media figure Cai Shenkun disclosed information about Xi Mingze's husband, Qin Yuefei (also referred to as Qin Yuafei in some reports). So, how did Qin Yuefei transition from an ordinary citizen to becoming China's top son-in-law?

Who exactly is Qin Yuefei? Is he truly Xi Jinping's son-in-law? How did he 'rise to prominence'? This situation also sheds light on the criteria that Xi 'the Supreme' uses when selecting a son-in-law.

Publicly available information indicates that Qin Yuefei is quite exceptional. Born in 1985 in Chongqing, he demonstrated outstanding academic performance from a young age, attending Nankai Middle School in Chongqing. After graduation, he took the SAT standardised test for college admissions in the United States, gained admission to Yale University, and received a full scholarship (approximately $50,000 per year). That year, Yale admitted only two students from all of China. His experience studying in the United States intersected with Xi Mingze, who was also studying abroad, establishing a foundation for his future success.

According to online sources, Qin Yuefei majored in political science and economics at Yale, graduating as an honours student with a "double degree." While many expected him to head to Wall Street, the United Nations, or the White House, he instead took a green train to a small village in Hunan. There, he became a university student village official, serving as the assistant village director. He lived in a mud house, rode a motorcycle, learned the Hunan dialect, managed village affairs, worked on projects, and repaired irrigation ditches. He stated, "This is one of the things a Yale graduate can do for China."

In 2012, he was elected as a representative of the Hengshan County People's Congress with 85% of the votes, earning the title of the "foreign university student representative" among villagers. After his term as a village official ended in 2014, he renewed his contract for another three years, opting not to accept promotions from his superiors and instead expanding his service to Baiyun Village in Futianpu Township.

Qin Yuefei began his studies at Yale at the age of 18, typically graduating in four years, which means he graduated in 2008. The author notes that if he truly wanted to be a village official, why didn't he go directly to the countryside at that time? What did the "outstanding graduate" do during those four years? These subtle hints raise questions about whether Qin met Xi Mingze while in the United States.

Born in 1992, Xi Mingze would have been of college age in 2010 and attended Harvard University in the U.S., which could have led to her meeting with Qin and the development of their romantic relationship. Shortly after, Qin Yuefei was guided by the Xi family and had his life planned out. While this remains speculation, it is intriguing that a young Yale graduate would choose to become a village official, especially since he did not study agriculture. Does he genuinely have such a passion for the land?

In 2015, Qin Yuefei (秦玥飛) collaborated with Yale alumni to launch the 'Heitu Wheat Field' public welfare program (Serve For China), aimed at sending exceptional Chinese youth to rural areas for education, development, and entrepreneurial support. The initiative encourages ambitious young individuals to 'transition from prestigious global universities to the rural countryside of China,' thereby achieving a blend of personal fulfilment and social impact. While it remains unclear whether this project has been successfully implemented, it is believed that this proposal has garnered the approval of Xi Jinping (習近平).

In 2017, as his second term concluded, Qin Yuefei once again declined a promotion. This decision does not necessarily indicate a preference for farming or engaging with Chinese farmers; rather, it conceals a deeper secret. Reports from the mainland suggest that Qin's family is not affluent, yet his choices are perplexing. Typically, when a family raises a talented individual, they would opt for a business career to ensure greater material security for themselves and their family. However, he evidently did not take this route, raising the question of what gives him the confidence to make such a choice. All signs point to him having a powerful ally, having secured a connection with a significant figure, with his name prominently featured on Xi Jinping's family list. That year, Qin was 32 years old, and Xi's daughter was 25, an ideal age for marriage.

So why doesn't he accept the promotion? Let's first think about why local officials would want to promote him. How many individuals are engaged in rural work and grassroots efforts in the area? Among them, how many have long working hours and outstanding performance? According to online reports, aside from the fact that Qin Yuefei is a Yale graduate who can endure hardship in rural areas, has he made any significant achievements here? No. Moreover, can the education he received at Yale be applied to work in Chinese rural areas? So why did local officials attempt to promote him twice? The most likely explanation is that the officials recognised his unique identity; the refusal to promote him stems from a desire to avoid creating a connection with the Xi family, indicating that Qin's life is being manipulated.

So, who is behind this manipulation? In China, who is the star who has made their way into the political arena through rural work? — Xi Jinping. The path behind this clearly reveals Xi's influence.

In fact, even greater surprises await Qin in his life. Indeed, in 2018, he became a representative of the 13th National People's Congress of the Communist Party of China and submitted proposals on 'targeted poverty alleviation' and 'rural revitalisation' during the NPC meeting. — At the age of 33, he became a national representative and proposed initiatives at the NPC. It is not that Qin Yuefei is exceptionally powerful, but rather that he has a formidable backing due to his wife's status.

Currently, it has been reported that Qin Yuefei has become a department official responsible for international business at the China Development Bank. The China Development Bank is not an ordinary bank; it is an institution dedicated to spending the country's money, without the pressures of accepting deposits or issuing loans. It is virtually impossible for children from ordinary families to even dream of working at the China Development Bank.

So why did the Xi family opt for a commoner as their son-in-law? The rationale is that an exceptional talent from a humble background can alter the intelligence gene of the Xi family, and someone without any connections is easier to manage. In critical situations, he can also serve as a pawn or scapegoat. This is how Qin Yuefei (秦玥飞) has embarked on his 'rise to success'.

But is Qin Yuefei truly the favoured child of fate? Is it really so easy to be China's first son-in-law? As the Chinese saying goes, 'Fortune and misfortune are intertwined'; the greater the fortune, the greater the potential for disaster. Particularly within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) system, where struggles can be deadly, his father-in-law, Xi Jinping (习近平), is currently grappling with both internal and external challenges, with rumours suggesting he is losing power. The CCP elites he has offended and the masses he has suppressed may seek revenge and condemnation against this so-called 'first family' of China. If Qin Yuefei's extraordinary journey were to come to an abrupt halt, he would still be considered fortunate. However, the worst possible outcome remains uncertain.

(This article was first published by People News)