3. Xi Jinping
With the eyes of the world usually focused on what America and Russia are doing, a third party has slowly been edging its way onto the world stage, China, and its leader Xi Jinping. Viewed with trepidation and suspicion by the western world, Xi Jinping certainly sees himself as one of the most powerful people in the world.
He is without question the most powerful man in China as he has consolidated his power by abolishing presidential term limits in 2018 by passing a set of constitutional amendments. Essentially making him president for life. With the war raging between Russia and Ukraine (and not going as Putin had hoped), and Biden facing potential losses in the midterms in a hugely divided America, China is making moves in the background.
With their expanding influence on South Africa and Europe, and a military budget ($229.4 billion) second only to the United States, China and Xi Jinping will play an even bigger part on the world stage in the coming years.
