China's unspoken deal: How engineers came to lead the nation

For decades, China's top leadership positions have been dominated by individuals with science and engineering backgrounds. Presidents Jiang Zemin and Xi Jinping, along with Premier Wen Jiabao, all majored in technical fields, a stark contrast to earlier periods when engineers faced significant distrust.

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He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a great man.

The shift began in 1958 when Mao Zedong introduced the principle of being "both red and expert." This concept aimed to balance revolutionary loyalty with professional competence, seeking to integrate technical skills among cadres and prevent the monopoly of knowledge by a select few. Tsinghua University President Jiang Nanxiang played a key role in developing this strategy, creating a system that combined academic excellence with political responsibilities.

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being both red and expert

This emphasis on engineering expertise in leadership has led to China's rapid advancements in science and technology, a phenomenon explored in documentaries and bestselling books. The country's focus on cultivating technically skilled leaders has been envied by nations like South Korea, which are perceived to be more focused on medical professions or legal fields for their elite.

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unify” both types of people by recruiting professors into the party and training CCP members to become scholars.