Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Cai Qi and Wang Yi: Xi’s Key Aides at BRICS
Cai Qi is one of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s most trusted political aides.
He helps manage the Chinese Communist Party’s central offices and information.
He is also fifth among the seven members of China’s top party decision-making group.
Cai has worked with Xi in Fujian and Zhejiang for many years.
He now also leads the Central Party School, which trains senior party officials.
Wang Yi is another important Chinese official who focuses mainly on foreign policy.
Both men traveled with Xi to the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Their presence is notable because India and China are trying to improve relations and manage disagreements.
Cai Qi, China’s fifth-ranked Politburo Standing Committee member, accompanied Xi Jinping to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Cai is director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee General Office and first-ranked member of the party Secretariat.
His long political association with Xi includes work in Fujian and Zhejiang, helping establish him as a trusted aide.
Cai was appointed head of the Central Party School and National Academy of Governance in June, expanding his influence over senior officials’ training.
Wang Yi, China’s foreign-policy point man, holds senior party and diplomatic roles and could be important during expected Xi-Modi talks.
- Who
- Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Cai Qi and Wang Yi accompanied Xi Jinping to the 18th BRICS Summit, highlighting their roles as key party and foreign-policy aides.
- When
- Xi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the 18th BRICS Summit; Cai was appointed to lead the Central Party School in June.
- Where
- The summit is in New Delhi, India; Cai and Xi previously worked together in Fujian and Zhejiang.
- Why
- Their presence reflects their close roles in Xi’s party administration and foreign-policy operations as China and India seek to stabilize bilateral ties.
- Cai Qi’s party rank
- Fifth-ranked member of China’s seven-member Politburo Standing Committee
- Cai Qi’s main office
- Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee General Office
- Cai Qi’s Secretariat role
- First-ranked member of the Chinese Communist Party Secretariat
- Cai Qi’s additional appointment
- Head of the Central Party School and National Academy of Governance since June
- Wang Yi’s positions
- Political Bureau member, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and foreign minister
- Cai Qi’s background
- Born in Fujian in 1955; joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1975
- Expected diplomatic engagement
- Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi were expected to hold bilateral talks during the summit
