The People’s The People’s Republic of ChinaRepublic of China

中華人民共和國 中華人民共和國The Party, The Government, and The Party, The Government, and

Their Tools.Their Tools.

I. The Chinese Communist I. The Chinese Communist PartyParty

中國共産黨 中國共産黨

Characteristics of the Chinese Characteristics of the Chinese Communist PartyCommunist Party

It is hierarchal, pyramidal, and centralist in nature.It is hierarchal, pyramidal, and centralist in nature. This is similar to a Confucian-structured government, This is similar to a Confucian-structured government,

except now the Communist Party is the new Empire, and except now the Communist Party is the new Empire, and there is a new “Red Emperor.”there is a new “Red Emperor.”

Party structure has soviet characteristics.Party structure has soviet characteristics. The Party has had several fluctuations in organizational The Party has had several fluctuations in organizational

structure, the main watershed moment being at the end of structure, the main watershed moment being at the end of the Cultural Revolution with the rise of Deng Xiaoping (the Cultural Revolution with the rise of Deng Xiaoping ( 邓小邓小

平平 )) ..

The National Party Congress

Central Party StructureCentral Party Structure National Party Congress (National Party Congress ( 中国共产党全国代表大会中国共产党全国代表大会 ))

The Central Committee (The Central Committee (中国共产党中央委员会中国共产党中央委员会 ) )

The Politburo (The Politburo (中国共产党中央政治局中国共产党中央政治局 ) )

The Standing Committee of the Politburo (The Standing Committee of the Politburo ( 中国共产党中央政治局常务中国共产党中央政治局常务委员会委员会 ) )

The General Secretary of the Party (The General Secretary of the Party ( 中国共产党中央委员会总书记中国共产党中央委员会总书记 ))

The National Party Congress, Central Committee, The Politburo, The National Party Congress, Central Committee, The Politburo, The Standing Committee, and General Secretary have: 2114, The Standing Committee, and General Secretary have: 2114,

roughly 300, 22, 9, and 1 members respectively, illustrating the roughly 300, 22, 9, and 1 members respectively, illustrating the hierarchy.hierarchy.

How power is distributedHow power is distributed Theoretically all major authority within the Party comes from the Theoretically all major authority within the Party comes from the

National Party Congress, which meets once every five years.National Party Congress, which meets once every five years. In Chinese politics there is a significant difference between “real” In Chinese politics there is a significant difference between “real”

and “theoretical” power.and “theoretical” power. The National Party Congress “elects” the Central Committee.The National Party Congress “elects” the Central Committee. The Central Committee in turn decides who is on the Politburo.The Central Committee in turn decides who is on the Politburo. The Politburo is typically not in session, and therefore has a The Politburo is typically not in session, and therefore has a

Standing Committee of nine members which exercises real power.Standing Committee of nine members which exercises real power. The locus of power is with the Standing Committee.The locus of power is with the Standing Committee. In practice, positions within the Central Committee and Politburo In practice, positions within the Central Committee and Politburo

are decided before the Party Congress, whose main function is to are decided before the Party Congress, whose main function is to announce Party policies.announce Party policies.

““Real” power begins with the Politburo, although it is speculated Real” power begins with the Politburo, although it is speculated that Hu Jintao will increase the power of the Central Committee in that Hu Jintao will increase the power of the Central Committee in the coming years to induce intra-party democracy.the coming years to induce intra-party democracy.

Current Members of the Politburo Current Members of the Politburo Standing CommitteeStanding Committee

Hu Jintao(Hu Jintao( 胡锦涛 胡锦涛 )- President and General Secretary)- President and General Secretary Wu Bangguo(Wu Bangguo(吴邦国吴邦国 )- Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National )- Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National

People’s CongressPeople’s Congress Wen Jiabao(Wen Jiabao(温家宝温家宝 )- Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic )- Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic

of Chinaof China Jia Qinglin(Jia Qinglin(贾庆林贾庆林 ) - Chairman of People’s Consultative Conference) - Chairman of People’s Consultative Conference Zeng Qinghong(Zeng Qinghong(曾庆红曾庆红 )) - Vice President of the People’s Republic of China- Vice President of the People’s Republic of China Huang Ju(Huang Ju(黄菊黄菊 ) - Vice Premier- State Council) - Vice Premier- State Council Wu Guangzheng(Wu Guangzheng( 吳官正 吳官正 ), Secretary for the Central Commission for ), Secretary for the Central Commission for

Discipline InspectionDiscipline Inspection Li Changchun(Li Changchun( 李長春 李長春 )- informal propaganda chief)- informal propaganda chief Luo Gan(Luo Gan( 罗干 罗干 )- Political and Legislative Affairs Committee Secretary)- Political and Legislative Affairs Committee Secretary

*Positions listed include State level positions as well as party.*Positions listed include State level positions as well as party.*In Chinese politics, it must be noted that titles of position do not necessarily *In Chinese politics, it must be noted that titles of position do not necessarily

confer power- Deng Xiaoping was seen as the paramount leader when the confer power- Deng Xiaoping was seen as the paramount leader when the only position he held was the Chairman of the Central Military Commission.only position he held was the Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The ToolsThe Tools The Chinese Communist Party utilizes a variety of organs in The Chinese Communist Party utilizes a variety of organs in

order to administer its rule across China.order to administer its rule across China. These include; The Secretariat, The Central Military These include; The Secretariat, The Central Military

Commission, The Discipline Inspection Commission, The Commission, The Discipline Inspection Commission, The United Front Work Department, and the Propaganda United Front Work Department, and the Propaganda Department.Department.

In addition, there are “leading small groups”, which are In addition, there are “leading small groups”, which are high ranking Party officials in State agencies. These LSG’s high ranking Party officials in State agencies. These LSG’s have become particularly influential in the area of foreign have become particularly influential in the area of foreign diplomacy.diplomacy.

The Secretariat (The Secretariat (中国共产党中央委中国共产党中央委员会书记员会书记 ) )

This organ is paralleled at the State levelThis organ is paralleled at the State level It is the primary administrative mechanism for the Party It is the primary administrative mechanism for the Party

and State, and is considered to be the permanent and State, and is considered to be the permanent bureaucracy.bureaucracy.

Its primary function is to make personnel decisions in the Its primary function is to make personnel decisions in the Party and State, but not the military.Party and State, but not the military.

It is headed by the General Secretary.It is headed by the General Secretary.

Provincial and Local OrganizationProvincial and Local Organization

II. The StateII. The State

Basic OrganizationBasic Organization

The Premier The PresidentThe Premier The President

The State Council The MinistriesThe State Council The Ministries

The Standing Committee of the NPCThe Standing Committee of the NPC

The National People’s CongressThe National People’s Congress

The National People’s Congress The National People’s Congress (( 全国人民代表大会 全国人民代表大会 ))

The National People’s Congress is not to be confused with the The National People’s Congress is not to be confused with the National Party Congress.National Party Congress.

The National People’s Congress is defined as “the highest The National People’s Congress is defined as “the highest organ of state power” by the 1982 constitution.organ of state power” by the 1982 constitution.

The National People’s Congress has roughly 3000 delegates. The National People’s Congress has roughly 3000 delegates. It meets once every five years, and in the mean time has a It meets once every five years, and in the mean time has a

Standing Committee (Standing Committee (全国人民代表大会常务委员会全国人民代表大会常务委员会 )) of of 150 people.150 people.

Delegate selection in more recent years involves quite a bit Delegate selection in more recent years involves quite a bit of local CCP politics.of local CCP politics.

The National People’s Congress has in the past essence The National People’s Congress has in the past essence operated as a rubber stamp legislature.operated as a rubber stamp legislature.

Because of its size and how often it meets, there are severe Because of its size and how often it meets, there are severe logistic restrictions on what it is capable of, and most of the logistic restrictions on what it is capable of, and most of the day to day power is with the Standing Committee.day to day power is with the Standing Committee.

National People’s Congress Cont’dNational People’s Congress Cont’d

In recent years the authority of the NPC has been increased.In recent years the authority of the NPC has been increased. It has notably rejected amendments to constitution proposed by It has notably rejected amendments to constitution proposed by

the CCP, and it is now not uncommon for the State Council to the CCP, and it is now not uncommon for the State Council to withdraw legislation that the NPC has become opposed to.withdraw legislation that the NPC has become opposed to.

Despite this, it is a a fact of life that the Communist Party’s rule Despite this, it is a a fact of life that the Communist Party’s rule is not challenged. Yet when there is not a consensus among the is not challenged. Yet when there is not a consensus among the party as to the correct action, the NPC has become a forum for party as to the correct action, the NPC has become a forum for debate so that the party may reach a consensus.debate so that the party may reach a consensus.

The other functions of the NPC are to approve nominations to The other functions of the NPC are to approve nominations to various government positions, including the President of the various government positions, including the President of the People’s Republic of China. The NPC to this day has failed to People’s Republic of China. The NPC to this day has failed to block a nomination or work report of the CCP, but the votes are block a nomination or work report of the CCP, but the votes are no longer unanimous. They still rarely drop below 70% .no longer unanimous. They still rarely drop below 70% .

National People’s CongressNational People’s Congress

The Standing Committee of The The Standing Committee of The National People’s Congress (National People’s Congress (全国全国

人民代表大会常务委员会 人民代表大会常务委员会 )) Contains roughly 150 members.Contains roughly 150 members. Constitutional authority to modify legislation within the limits set Constitutional authority to modify legislation within the limits set

by the NPC.by the NPC. The Standing Committee can also draft legislation, but has more The Standing Committee can also draft legislation, but has more

limits than the NPC as a wholelimits than the NPC as a whole Because it is in session longer than the NPC, it has in fact Because it is in session longer than the NPC, it has in fact

produced a larger set of laws than its counter-part.produced a larger set of laws than its counter-part. Also has the authority to interpret laws of the People’s Republic of Also has the authority to interpret laws of the People’s Republic of

ChinaChina This ability is legislative in nature, not judicial, and therefore does This ability is legislative in nature, not judicial, and therefore does

not effect cases already decided.not effect cases already decided. It is also responsible for the follow; conducting the election of NPC It is also responsible for the follow; conducting the election of NPC

members, supervising the work of the executive, the state Central members, supervising the work of the executive, the state Central Military Commission, and judicial organs, deciding on the Military Commission, and judicial organs, deciding on the appointment and removal of State Council members on the appointment and removal of State Council members on the recommendation of the Premier, approving and removing senior recommendation of the Premier, approving and removing senior judicial and diplomatic figures, ruling on the ratification of treaties, judicial and diplomatic figures, ruling on the ratification of treaties, and deciding on the proclamation of a state of war when the NPC and deciding on the proclamation of a state of war when the NPC in not in session.in not in session.

The State Council (The State Council ( 国务院 国务院 )) The State Council is the chief administrative organ of the PRC.The State Council is the chief administrative organ of the PRC. The State Council is chaired by the Premier, and contains 4 vice The State Council is chaired by the Premier, and contains 4 vice

premiers, five state councilors, and the Secretary General. It premiers, five state councilors, and the Secretary General. It contains roughly 50 members.contains roughly 50 members.

The Premier of China is nominated by the President of the PRC and The Premier of China is nominated by the President of the PRC and is confirmed by the National People’s Congress.is confirmed by the National People’s Congress.

The Premier is responsible for nominating the premiers and other The Premier is responsible for nominating the premiers and other council members.council members.

The Secretary General heads the General Office which handles the The Secretary General heads the General Office which handles the day to day affairs, but is relatively powerless.day to day affairs, but is relatively powerless.

Vice Premiers are responsible for particular ministries under the Vice Premiers are responsible for particular ministries under the State Council.State Council.

The State Council is almost autonomous of the theoretical NPC The State Council is almost autonomous of the theoretical NPC control, but this is slowly changing, and in the face of control, but this is slowly changing, and in the face of overwhelming opposition it will change policy.overwhelming opposition it will change policy.

The State Council Cont’dThe State Council Cont’d At this level of government the Party and the State are At this level of government the Party and the State are

effectively fused. As party members council members are effectively fused. As party members council members are required to follow the party line and instruction, but as most of required to follow the party line and instruction, but as most of these members are high ranking officials within the party and these members are high ranking officials within the party and thus have effective control over what these instructions may be.thus have effective control over what these instructions may be.

As the main administrative organ, its main functions are to As the main administrative organ, its main functions are to supervise the ministries through the Vice Premiers, formulate supervise the ministries through the Vice Premiers, formulate administrative measures, draft legislative bills for submission to administrative measures, draft legislative bills for submission to the NPC or its Standing Committee, and prepare the budget and the NPC or its Standing Committee, and prepare the budget and economic plan for the PRC. Because of the emphasis on economic plan for the PRC. Because of the emphasis on economic development in the past years, its importance has economic development in the past years, its importance has increased.increased.

Despite its control of the ministries, including the Ministry of Despite its control of the ministries, including the Ministry of Defense, it does NOT control the People’s Liberation Army. The Defense, it does NOT control the People’s Liberation Army. The PLA functions independently of the State Council.PLA functions independently of the State Council.

Ministries and Organs of the State Ministries and Organs of the State CouncilCouncil

Agriculture (Agriculture (农业部农业部))

Civil Affairs (Civil Affairs (民政部民政部)) Commerce (Commerce (商务部商务部) ) Communications (Communications (交通部交通部) ) Construction (Construction (建设部建设部) ) Culture (Culture (文化部文化部)) Education (Education (教育部教育部 ) ) Finance (Finance (财政部财政部 ) ) Foreign Affairs (Foreign Affairs (外交部外交部 ) ) Health (Health (卫生部卫生部 ) ) Information Industry (Information Industry (信息产业部信息产业部 ) ) Justice (Justice (司法部司法部 ) )

Ministries and Organs Cont’dMinistries and Organs Cont’d Labor and Social Security (Labor and Social Security (劳动和社会保障部劳动和社会保障部 ) ) Land and Resources (Land and Resources (国土资源部国土资源部 ) ) National Defense (National Defense (国防部国防部 ) ) Personnel (Personnel (人事部人事部 ) ) Public Security (Public Security (公安部公安部 ) ) Railways (Railways (铁道部铁道部 ) ) Science and Technology (Science and Technology (科技部科技部 ) ) State Security (State Security (安全部安全部 ) ) Supervision (Supervision (监察部监察部 ) )

Water Resources (Water Resources (水利部水利部 ))

The Premier (The Premier ( 总理 总理 )) Head of State CouncilHead of State Council Theoretically is selected after high level negotiations within Theoretically is selected after high level negotiations within

the Communist Partythe Communist Party Generally a member of the Standing Committee of the Generally a member of the Standing Committee of the

Politburo and is also 2Politburo and is also 2ndnd or 3 or 3rdrd in the Communist Party. in the Communist Party. Responsible for the management of the state’s Responsible for the management of the state’s

bureaucracy.bureaucracy. Does not have any authority over the PLA.Does not have any authority over the PLA.

The President of the PRC (The President of the PRC (中华人中华人 民共和国主席 民共和国主席 ))

Formal head of state of the People’s Republic of ChinaFormal head of state of the People’s Republic of China Formally elected by the National People’s Congress- but Formally elected by the National People’s Congress- but

there is always only one candidate.there is always only one candidate. President must be 45 and can only serve two 5 year terms.President must be 45 and can only serve two 5 year terms. Has power to put legislation into effect.Has power to put legislation into effect. Appoints all ambassadors, Ministers, Premier, Vice Appoints all ambassadors, Ministers, Premier, Vice

Premiers, State Council Members, legislative committee Premiers, State Council Members, legislative committee chairs, treasurers and secretaries.chairs, treasurers and secretaries.

Typically is also the General Secretary of the CCPTypically is also the General Secretary of the CCP Can declare state of emergency and state of war.Can declare state of emergency and state of war.

III. The Judicial SystemIII. The Judicial System

The People’s Liberation Army (The People’s Liberation Army (中中 国人民解放军 国人民解放军 ))