Wen-Hsuan Tsai

Wen-Hsuan Tsai is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica (Taiwan). His main research is on Chinese political development and authoritarian regimes. Tsai has published many articles in The China Journal, The China Quarterly, Journal of Contemporary China, China Review, China Information, China Perspectives, Journal of East Asian Studies, Problems of Post-Communism, Asian Survey, Critical Asian Studies, Modern China and other journals in English and Chinese. In addition to publishing The Inner Court of Communist China: Elites and Their Bureaucratic Institutions in an Authoritarian System (1921–2022) (2025), he also has another monograph entitled A Tight Grip: State Power and Control in Modern China (2025).

Reshaping the State »

Chinese Political Institutions under Xi Jinping

Authored by: Wen-Hsuan Tsai

Publication date: 2025

‘Based on extensive fieldwork and impressive analytic skills, Wen-Hsuan Tsai has produced the most detailed and informative account of the evolving political system in Xi Jinping’s China that I have ever read. It is essential reading for everyone seeking to understand the management and deployment of political power in contemporary China. The book convincingly shows that even though Xi Jinping may have centralized power in his own hands, institutions still matter. Indeed, they are holding China together.’ —Kjeld Erik Brødsgaard, Copenhagen Business School ‘This engaging and thought-provoking academic work reflects the scholar’s dedication to enhancing our understanding of Chinese governance. It blends institutional resonance with leadership dynamics, addressing the knowledge gap in the West about the complexities of the Chinese Communist Party’s resilience and institutions. By examining the idiosyncrasies, risks and challenges of contemporary China—both a major global influence and the world’s second-largest economy—it encourages readers to reflect deeply on its governance and implications.’ —Hon S. Chan, City University of Hong Kong ‘As a leading scholar on China’s elite politics, Dr Wen-Hsuan Tsai reveals how Xi Jinping reshaped the party-state to achieve institutional centralization and made and implemented domestic and foreign policy as the supreme leader of China. This book opens the “black box” of Chinese leadership politics, policymaking and implementation. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain deep knowledge about political dynamics in contemporary China.’ —Suisheng Zhao, University of Denver

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