The low-key but powerful protector of China’s leaders and their secrets

While all eyes are focused on the make-up of the Communist Party Politburo and its Standing Committee – the apex of power in China – it is easy to overlook the appointment of one man whose modest title belies the power attached to his office.

That official is the head of the party Central Committee’s General Office, whose appointment will be announced with the new leadership line-up on Wednesday.

He will be the top aide of party chief Xi Jinping in his second term, acting as his chief of staff, and will accompany Xi, who is also China’s president, on trips at home or abroad.

The General Office is a largely behind-the-scenes administrative body that handles paperwork, logistics, health care and security for top leaders and is also tasked with ensuring the implementation of top-level decisions. It also manages encrypted communications within the party and the government, and its head has access to all passwords.

But what really distinguished the position from chiefs of staff in most countries is its hold on military power.

The General Office is in charge of the security of China’s top leadership and commands several thousand elite Central Security Bureau troops dedicated to protect the leaders and their families. The head of the General Office is the political commissar of the force, whose commander is the deputy head of the office.

The position has also traditionally been a training ground for officials destined for higher office.