The identity of Zhou Hongxu, the person in charge of Xi Jinping’s security, was exposed and he attended the White House state banquet

Zhou Hongxu (right) attended Xi Jinping's visit to India to attend the BRICS Summit. (Screenshot taken from the Internet)

The identity of a mysterious man who has been accompanying Chinese President Xi Jinping to international conferences has finally been revealed after attending a White House state dinner last week.

The British media "The Independent" reported that this man, who often wears Chinese tunic suits, has accompanied Xi Jinping to attend many important international meetings, such as the 2022 Barbarian G20 Summit, the 2023 APEC Summit in San Francisco, and the recent BRICS Summit in Delhi. His identity has long been the subject of speculation. Now, the guest list released by the White House shows that he is Zhou Hongxu, Xi Jinping's security chief.

According to footage from China Central Television, Zhou Hongxu attended the White House state dinner and stood behind U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. His emergence marks a rare moment of public attention for one of China's most enigmatic security figures.

Zhou Hongxu, 55, is described as a major general of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and serves as director of the Central Security Bureau and deputy director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Similar to the U.S. Secret Service, the Central Guard Bureau is one of the most secretive branches of China's security apparatus and is responsible for the security of the president and other senior leaders.

China has never publicly confirmed Zhou Hongxu's role. Zhou Hongxu was born in Chongqing, southwest China, in 1971. He graduated from the Artillery Academy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army with a master's degree and served as the commander of the Artillery Regiment of the 14th Group Army. He also served as director of the Military Training Department of the former Chengdu Military Region Headquarters and deputy chief of staff of the Army in the Northern Theater Command.

Zhou Hongxu will take office as director of the Central Security Bureau around 2021, and will be elected as a representative of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2022. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was a landmark political meeting that cemented Xi Jinping's authority by giving him an unprecedented third term in office.

Experts at the time said Zhou Hongxu was the first director of the bureau appointed from outside traditional security agencies. His prominent but low-key performance in high-stakes situations shows that a younger generation of party cadres are moving to the front lines of some of China's most important diplomatic events.

In the latest high-profile diplomatic event, Zhou Hongxu met with senior Chinese officials in Delhi, where President Xi Jinping arrived for the BRICS summit on September 12.