Veteran foreign correspondent, Michael Sheridan sheds new light on the history and politics of China, revealing that, behind the façade of the Chinese Communist Party, there is a modern dynasty and a new emperor: Xi Jinping, who became leader in 2012 and presides over 1.4 billion people and the second largest economy on earth.

Born a ‘princeling’ to one of Communist China’s ruling families, the young Xi was exiled to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution. He fought his way back to the top by stealth, privilege and guile. An absolute ruler, his word is law and he is one of the most consequential leaders of our time. He aims to dominate world trade, to defeat Western democracy and to make China the supreme power in the East.