Part 3/9:
Beginning in the oil sector in 1960, Zhou quickly showcased exceptional leadership and strategic foresight. By 1998, he ascended to the role of general manager at China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), transforming it into a colossal entity with annual revenues of approximately $120 billion. This remarkable growth was pivotal in consolidating his political power, ultimately leading to his entry into the Politburo of the Communist Party of China in 2002.