Secretariat of the Communist Party of China

	Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China
Simplified Chinese	中国共产党中央书记处
Traditional Chinese	中國共產黨中央書記處
Literal meaning	China Communist Party Central Secretariat
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng Zhōngyāng Shūjìchù
Alternative Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	书记处
Literal meaning	Secretariat
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Shūjìchù

Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China
Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China; 中国共产党中央书记处
Leadership
Status	Executive body under the CPC Central Politburo and its Standing Committee, Communist Party of China
1st-ranked; member	Wang Huning,; Politburo Standing Committee member
Other members	Ding Xuexiang, Yang Xiaodu, Chen Xi, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, You Quan
Elected by	the Central Committee
Responsible to	the Central Politburo
Seats	Various, currently seven
Meeting place
	Qinzheng Hall, Zhongnanhai ; Beijing, China [1]

Last updated June 03, 2019

The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China is a body serving the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and its Standing Committee. The secretariat is mainly responsible for carrying out routine operations of the Politburo and the coordination of organizations and stakeholders to achieve tasks as set out by the Politburo. It is empowered by the Politburo to make routine day-to-day decisions on issues of concern in accordance to the decisions of the Politburo, but it must consult the Politburo on substantive matters.

Politburo of the Communist Party of China decision-making body in China

The Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China, formally known as the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and known as Central Bureau before 1927, is a group of 25 people who oversee the Communist Party of China. Unlike politburos of other Communist parties, power within the politburo is centralized in the Politburo Standing Committee, a smaller group of Politburo members.

Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China top leadership of the Communist Party of China and Chinas de facto top decision-making body

The Standing Committee of the Central Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, usually known as the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), is a committee consisting of the top leadership of the Communist Party of China. Historically it has been composed of five to eleven members, and currently has seven members. Its officially mandated purpose is to conduct policy discussions and make decisions on major issues when the Politburo, a larger decision-making body, is not in session. According to the party's Constitution, the General Secretary of the Central Committee must also be a member of the Politburo Standing Committee.

The secretariat was set up in January 1934. It is nominally headed by General Secretary, though the position of "General Secretary" was not always one and the same as the top party leader. Secretaries of the secretariat (Shujichu Shuji) are considered some of the most important political positions in the Communist Party and in contemporary China more generally. By protocol, its members are ranked above the vice chairmen of the National People's Congress as well as State Councilors. The General Secretary presides over the work of the secretariat.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China The head of the Communist Party of China and the de facto Leader of China

The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is head of the Communist Party of China and the highest-ranking official within the People's Republic of China. The General Secretary is a standing member of the Politburo and head of the Secretariat. The officeholder is usually considered the "paramount leader" of China.

History

The Secretariat of the Central Committee was formed in January 1934 at the 5th Plenary Session of the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which was held in Shanghai.^[2] On March 20, 1943, the Politburo, in a joint decision, decreed that the secretariat will be responsible for carrying out the work of the Politburo according to the general policy framework determined by the Politburo, and that it is vested with the power to make decisions within this general framework.

In 1956, the party created the position of the "General Secretary" to head its secretariat. The position is not that of the foremost leader in the party, which at the time was the "Chairman of the Central Committee". Rather, the general secretary was in charge of carrying out the day-to-day work of the Communist Party's Politburo. Its inaugural general secretary was Deng Xiaoping, with prominent political figures such as Peng Zhen and Tan Zhenlin being secretaries.

Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese politician who was the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China from 1978 until his retirement in 1989. After Chairman Mao Zedong's death in 1976, Deng led China through far-reaching market-economy reforms.

Peng Zhen was a leading member of the Communist Party of China. He led the party organization in Beijing following the victory of the Communists in the Chinese Civil War in 1949, but was purged during the Cultural Revolution for opposing Mao's views on the role of literature in relation to the state. He was rehabilitated under Deng Xiaoping in 1982 along with other 'wrongly accused' officials, and became the inaugural head of the CPC Central Political and Legislative Committee.

Tan Zhenlin was a political commissar in the People's Liberation Army during the Chinese Civil War, and a politician after the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

During the Cultural Revolution, the post of general secretary as well as the secretariat itself completely ceased to function. Beginning at the 9th Party Congress, party documents made no mention of the secretariat. The body was restored after the Cultural Revolution in February 1980, with Hu Yaobang occupying the position of first-ranked secretary, which is analogous to the position formerly called the "General Secretary". Since its reinstatement, the composition of the secretariat has varied between 6 and 12 members. Wan Li, Hu Qili, Hu Jintao, Zeng Qinghong, Xi Jinping, and Liu Yunshan have all successively held the position of the first-ranked Secretary of the secretariat.

The 9th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was a pivotal Communist Party Congress in China during the height of the Cultural Revolution. It was held in Beijing, in the Great Hall of the People, China, between April 1 and 24, 1969. It set in motion the 9th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. It was preceded by the lengthy 8th Congress. The Congress formally ratified the political purge of Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping, and elevated Mao's radical allies to power. It was formally succeeded by the 10th National Congress.

Hu Yaobang former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China

Hu Yaobang was a high-ranking official of the People's Republic of China. He held the top office of the Communist Party of China from 1981 to 1987, first as Chairman from 1981 to 1982, then as General Secretary from 1982 to 1987. Hu joined the Chinese Communist Party in the 1930s, and rose to prominence as a comrade of Deng Xiaoping. During the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), Hu was purged, recalled, and purged again by Mao Zedong.

Wan Li was a Chinese Communist revolutionary and politician. During a long administrative career in the People's Republic of China, he served successively as Vice Premier, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), and a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Secretariat and its Politburo.

The secretaries of the secretariat are ranked highly in the order of precedence among "Party and State Leaders". The secretaries rank under the Politburo, but ranks above the Vice-Chairpersons of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

The Orders of precedence in China is the ranking of political leaders in China for the purposes of event protocol and to arrange the ordering of names in official news bulletins, both written and televised. It is also sometimes used to assess perceived level of political power. Although there is no formally published ranking, there is usually an established convention and protocol, and the relative positions of Chinese political figures can usually be deduced from the order in meetings and especially by the time and order in which figures are covered by the official media.

List of secretaries

6th CPC Central Committee
- From the 5th Plenary Session to the March 1943 Politburo meeting: Bo Gu, Zhang Wentian, Zhou Enlai, Xiang Ying (Until his death in January 1941)
- Since the Zunyi Conference: Mao Zedong (Chairman of the Secretariat since March 1943), Kang Sheng (Took office December 1937)
- Since the March 1943 Politburo meeting: Liu Shaoqi, Ren Bishi
7th CPC Central Committee
- Mao Zedong (Chairman of the Secretariat), Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi (Acting Chairman of the Secretariat, August - October 1945), Ren Bishi (Until his death in October 1950), Chen Yun (Alternate secretary from August 1945, promoted from alternate secretary October 1950)
- Alternate secretary: Peng Zhen (From August 1945)
8th CPC Central Committee
- Deng Xiaoping, Peng Zhen (Until the May 1966 Expanded Politburo Meeting), Wang Jiaxiang, Tan Zhenlin, Tan Zheng (Until the 10th Plenary Session), Huang Kecheng (Until the 10th Plenary Session), Li Xuefeng
- Since the 5th Plenary Session: Li Fuchun, Li Xiannian
- Since the 10th Plenary Session: Lu Dingyi (Until the May 1966 Expanded Politburo Meeting), Kang Sheng, Luo Ruiqing (Until the May 1966 Expanded Politburo Meeting)
- Since the May 1966 Expanded Politburo Meeting: Tao Zhu (Executive Secretary), Ye Jianying, Xie Fuzhi, Liu Ningyi
- Alternate secretaries: Liu Lantao, Yang Shangkun (Until the May 1966 Expanded Politburo Meeting), Hu Qiaomu
9th CPC Central Committee: Not appointed
10th CPC Central Committee: Not appointed
11th CPC Central Committee
- Wan Li, Wang Renzhong, Fang Yi, Gu Mu, Song Renqiong, Yu Qiuli, Yang Dezhi, Hu Qiaomu, Yao Yilin, Peng Chong, Xi Zhongxun (Since the 6th Plenary Session)
12th CPC Central Committee
- Hu Qili, Wan Li, Yu Qiuli, Chen Pixian, Deng Liqun, Yang Yong (Until his death in January 1983)
- Until the 4th Plenary Session: Xi Zhongxun, Gu Mu, Yao Yilin
- Since the 4th Plenary Session: Qiao Shi (Promoted from alternate secretary), Tian Jiyun, Li Peng, Hao Jianxiu (Promoted from alternate secretary), Wang Zhaoguo
13th CPC Central Committee
- Qiao Shi
- Until the 4th Plenary Session: Hu Qili, Rui Xingwen, Yan Mingfu
- Since the 4th Plenary Session: Li Ruihuan, Ding Guangen, Yang Baibing
- Alternate secretary: Wen Jiabao
14th CPC Central Committee
- Hu Jintao, Ding Guangen, Wei Jianxing, Wen Jiabao, Ren Jianxin
15th CPC Central Committee
- Hu Jintao, Wei Jianxing, Ding Guangen, Zhang Wannian, Luo Gan, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong
16th CPC Central Committee
- Zeng Qinghong, Liu Yunshan, Zhou Yongkang, He Guoqiang, Wang Gang, Xu Caihou, He Yong
17th CPC Central Committee
- Xi Jinping, Liu Yunshan, Li Yuanchao, He Yong, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning
18th CPC Central Committee
- Liu Yunshan, Liu Qibao, Zhao Leji, Li Zhanshu, Du Qinglin, Zhao Hongzhu, and Yang Jing (Mongol).
19th CPC Central Committee
- Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Yang Xiaodu, Chen Xi, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, You Quan.

Related Research Articles

The 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing between November 8th and 14th, 2002. It was preceded by the 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. 2,114 delegates and 40 specially invited delegates attended this and elected a 356-member 16th CPC Central Committee, as well as a 121-member Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). The Congress marked the nominal transition of power between Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, who replaced Jiang as General Secretary, and a newly expanded Politburo Standing Committee line-up. The institutional transition would be completed in state organs by the 2003 National People's Congress in March. Jiang, however, remained head of the Central Military Commission, therefore in practice, the power transition was not complete. The Party National Congress examined and adopted the amendment to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China proposed by the 15th CPC Central Committee, and decided to come into force as from the date of its adoption. An amendment to the Constitution was approved the Party National Congress, with Jiang Zemin's signature ideology of "Three Represents" written into it. This congress was succeeded by the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

The 16th Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected by the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on November 15, 2002. It was nominally preceded by the 15th Politburo of the Communist Party of China. This was the main vangaurd executive committee functioning within the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China. It was formally superseded by the 17th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

The 15th Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected by the 15th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on September 19, 1997. It was preceded by the 14th Politburo of the Communist Party of China. It served until 2002.

The 14th Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected by the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on October 19, 1992. It was preceded by the 13th Politburo of the Communist Party of China. It served until 1997. It was succeeded by the 15th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

The 13th Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee on November 2, 1987, consisting of 17 members and 1 alternate member. During the 2nd plenary session of this politburo, the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests occurred, and were ultimately crushed by the orders of the 13th Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China. This was preceded by the 12th Politburo of the Communist Party of China. It was succeeded by the 14th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

The 12th Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee on September 13, 1982, consisting of 25 members and 3 alternate members. It served until 1987. It was preceded by the 11th Politburo of the Communist Party of China. This politburo was reorganized in September 1985, with a retirement of senior members and election of new members. It was succeeded by the 13th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

The 11th Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee on August 19, 1977, consisting of 23 members and 3 alternate members. There were additions to the membership in 1978 and 1979. It served until 1982. It was preceded by the 10th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

The 17th Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected by the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on October 22, 2007. Eventually, four members of this Politburo were expelled from the Communist Party for not adhering to the leading party thought. They were, in order of the time of expulsion, Bo Xilai, Xu Caihou, Zhou Yongkang, and Guo Boxiong. This politburo was preceded by the 16th Politburo of the Communist Party of China and succeeded by the 18th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

The 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was in session from 2002 to 2007. It held seven plenary sessions. It was set in motion by the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The 15th Central Committee preceded it. It was followed by the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

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The 8th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was in session from 1956 to 1969. It was most certainly preceded by the 7th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. It held 12 plenary sessions in this period of 13 years. It was the longest serving central committee ever held by the Communist Party.

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The Xi–Li Administration of the People's Republic of China began in 2013, when Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang succeeded Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party. It is speculated that Xi will solidify the political power of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, for the absolute command of the Communist ideology over pragmatic approach, and on the economic front there will be no liberalization but socialist entrenchment.

General Office of the Communist Party of China

The General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, often referred to as the Central Office (中办), is an office directly under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in charge of the routine administrative affairs of the Central Committee and its Politburo.

The Central Leading Group for Propaganda and Ideological Work is the agency under the Politburo of the Communist Party of China responsible for nationwide propaganda and information.

The 18th Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China was elected by the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on 15 November 2012, which was formally elected by the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It was nominally preceded by the 17th Politburo. It was ultimately succeeded by the 19th Politburo of the Communist Party of China.

References

↑ 瀚雅画廊. "天道酬勤绘沧桑——著名山水画家张登堂". gallery.artron.net. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
↑ "中共第六届历次中央全会". People.com.cn.

v t e Secretaries of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China
12th Central Committee	Wan Li Xi Zhongxun Deng Liqun Yang Yong Yu Qiuli Gu Mu Chen Pixian Hu Qili Yao Yilin Hao Jianxiu Qiao Shi ^a
13th Central Committee	Hu Qili Qiao Shi Rui Xingwen Yan Mingfu Wen Jiabao ^a
14th Central Committee	Hu Jintao Ding Guangen Wei Jianxing Wen Jiabao Ren Jianxin
15th Central Committee	Hu Jintao Wei Jianxing Ding Guangen Luo Gan Wen Jiabao Zeng Qinghong
16th Central Committee	Zeng Qinghong Liu Yunshan Zhou Yongkang He Guoqiang Wang Gang Xu Caihou He Yong
17th Central Committee	Xi Jinping Liu Yunshan Li Yuanchao He Yong Ling Jihua Wang Huning
18th Central Committee	Liu Yunshan Liu Qibao Zhao Leji Li Zhanshu Du Qinglin Zhao Hongzhu Yang Jing
19th Central Committee	Wang Huning Ding Xuexiang Yang Xiaodu Chen Xi Guo Shengkun Huang Kunming You Quan
^aAlternate Secretary

v t e Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Major organs	Politburo Standing Committee General Secretary Secretariat Central Military Commission
Departments	General Office Central Security Bureau Secrecy Office Cryptography Office Central Archives Organization Department Publicity Department United Front Work Department International Liaison Department Policy Research Office
Institutions	Central Party School Chinese Academy of Governance Institution for Party History and Literature Research People's Daily Qiushi Guangming Daily Executive Leadership Academies Pudong Yan'an Jinggangshan
Commissions	Auditing Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Comprehensively Law-Based Governance Financial and Economic Affairs Foreign Affairs Cyberspace Affairs Office National Security Political and Legal Affairs Spiritual Civilization Institutional Organization Office Secrecy Office
Leading Groups	Cryptography Work Office Education Inspection Work Military Reform Propaganda and Ideology Taiwan Office Hong Kong and Macau Office
Sittings	1st (1921) vacant 2nd (1922) 3rd (1923) 4th (1925) 5th (1927) 6th (1928) 7th (1945) 8th (1956) 9th (1969) 10th (1973) 11th (1977) 12th (1982) 13th (1987) 14th (1992) 15th (1997) 16th (2002) 17th (2007) 18th (2012) 19th (2017)

Secretariat of the Communist Party of China

Contents

History

List of secretaries

Related Research Articles

References

See also