Political structure

China Travel Services

Mar 10th 2006
From the Economist Intelligence Unit
Source: Country Report

Official name

People’s Republic of China

Form of government

One-party rule by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

The executive

The state council, approved by the National People’s Congress (NPC); state council members, including the premier, may serve no more than two consecutive five-year terms

Head of state

A president and a vice-president are approved by the NPC for a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms

National legislature

Unicameral National People’s Congress (NPC): 2,989 delegates are selected by provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and the armed forces. The NPC approves the president and members of the state council, as well as the members of the standing committee of the NPC, which meets when the NPC is not in session. All arms of the legislature and the executive sit for five-year terms

Regional assemblies & administrations

There are 22 provinces, four municipalities directly under central government control and five autonomous regions. These elect local people’s congresses, and are administered by people’s governments

National elections

A new government will be approved at the NPC meeting in March 2008

National government

The politburo (political bureau) of the CCP sets policy and controls all administrative, legal and executive appointments; the nine-man politburo standing committee is the focus of power

Main political organisation

The CCP, of which Hu Jintao is the general secretary

Politburo standing committee members

Hu Jintao; Wu Bangguo; Wen Jiabao; Jia Qinglin; Zeng Qinghong; Huang Ju; Wu Guanzheng; Li Changchun; Luo Gan

Key members of government

President: Hu Jintao

Vice-president: Zeng Qinghong

Premier: Wen Jiabao

Vice-premiers: Huang Ju; Wu Yi; Zeng Peiyan; Hui Liangyu

Heads of selected state ministries & commissions

Ministry of Commerce: Bo Xilai

Ministry of Finance: Jin Renqing

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Li Zhaoxing

Ministry of National Defence: Cao Gangchuan

State Development & Reform Commission: Ma Kai

Central bank governor