Abstract Since China has risen into the second largest economy in the world, the decision makers around the globe are in obligatory situations to take into account the voice of the current Chinese state leader Xi Jinping, which is usually conveyed through the vehicle of translation. With a specific focus on the translation of the metaphorical and idiomatic expressions that feature his discourse style and identity, this study aims to find out what translation methods are favoured and analyse how the two types of figurative expressions are translated in the Chinese political translation. The research data is collected from the recent publication 习近平谈治国理政 (Xí Jìn Píng Tán Zhì Guó Lǐ Zhèng) and its translation The Governance of China, compiling a careful selection of the addresses delivered by Xi Jinping between 2012 when he took office and 2014. The findings of this study are presented in two parts: (1) quantitative results and (2) case analysis. The quantitative results reveal that among the six translation methods identified, semantic translation has been the most dominant choice to render those expressions, followed by paraphrase and modulation as the second and the third choice. The second part of findings analyses how metaphorical and idiomatic expressions are translated with the major translation methods. Further discussion is carried out on the possible constraints in translation decision making, the shift of readership and its consequent changes in text functions and effects, and the implications for translators. Keywords: Translation, Political discourse, Metaphorical Expressions, Idiomatic Expressions, The Governance of China