AGE 61: Xi Jinping

President of China

What makes him powerful: Jinping has become the most powerful Chinese leader in decades. As commander of one of the world's fastest-rising superpowers, he's shown a readiness to adopt a degree of change — as shown by his decision to loosen the one-child policy, his promises of economic reform, and a relaxation of restrictions on the rights of migrant workers. But he also stands firmly by China's system of government, saying that the Community Party is the only model proven to work for China.