Succession of power in the People's Republic of China

Part of a series on the
Politics of China
Leadership Leadership generations Succession of power Hu–Wen Administration (2002–2012) Xi–Li Administration (2012–2017) Xi Core Administration  [ zh ](since 2017) 4th Leadership Core: Xi Jinping 19th Central Politburo 13th State Council Current State leaders Current provincial leaders National leaders Orders of precedence Paramount leader: Xi Jinping Communist Party leader: Xi Jinping Head of state: Xi Jinping Head of government: Li Keqiang Congress Chairman: Li Zhanshu Conference Chairman: Wang Yang Commander-in-chief: Xi Jinping Politburo Standing Committee Related systems Democratic centralism Collective leadership Organization Department Elections Civil service
Communist Party History Principal leaders Constitution Organization National Party Congress (19th) Central Committee (19th) General Secretary (list) Xi Jinping Central Politburo (19th) Standing Committee  (list) Central Secretariat Top-ranked secretary: Wang Huning Central Military Commission Chairman: Xi Jinping Vice-Chairmen: Xu Qiliang, Zhang Youxia National Security Commission Chairman: Xi Jinping Vice-Chairmen: Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu Office Chief: Ding Xuexiang Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission Director: Xi Jinping Deputy Directors: Li Keqiang , Wang Huning , Han Zheng Secretary-General: Wang Huning Financial & Economic Affairs Commission Director: Xi Jinping Deputy Director: Li Keqiang Office Chief: Liu He General Office Director: Ding Xuexiang General Secretary's Office  [ zh ] Chief: Ding Xuexiang Central Security Bureau Central Guard Unit Office of the Central Secrecy Commission Organization Department Head: Chen Xi Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (19th) Secretary: Zhao Leji Provincial committee Standing committee Secretary Deputy secretaries
United Front Political Consultative Conference National Committee  [ zh ] Chairman: Wang Yang Vice-Chairpersons Top-ranked: Zhang Qingli Secretary-General: Xia Baolong Political parties: CPC (ruling) United Front Work Department Head: You Quan RCCK CDL CDNCA CAPD CPWDP CZGP JS TDSGL Federation of Industry and Commerce People's organizations
Ideology Marxism–Leninism Mao Zedong Thought Socialism with Chinese characteristics Deng Xiaoping Theory Primary stage of socialism Four Cardinal Principles Three Represents Scientific Outlook on Development Harmonious Socialist Society Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Chinese Dream Four Comprehensives
Constitution Law Constitution Previous constitutions 1954 1975 1978 "People's democratic dictatorship" (Article 1) Democratic centralism (Article 3) Constitutional oath of office (Article 27) Protection of human rights (Article 33) Freedom of religion (Article 36) Chinese legal system Civil law tradition Socialist law tradition Laws Legislation Law List of statutes General Principles of the Civil Law Marriage Law Labour law Labour Law Labour Contract Law Property law Property Law Intellectual property law Patent law Administrative law Administrative Procedure Law Criminal law Capital punishment Capital offences Death sentence with reprieve
Legislative National People's Congress (13th) Members Plenary sessions Voting results Presidium Standing Committee Chairman: Li Zhanshu Vice-Chairpersons Top-ranked: Wang Chen Secretary-General: Yang Zhenwu  [ zh ] Special committees Ethnic Affairs Constitution and Law Supervisory and Judicial Affairs Financial and Economic Affairs Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Foreign Affairs Overseas Chinese Affairs Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Agriculture and Rural Affairs Social Development Affairs Legislation Law Elections
Presidency President (list): Xi Jinping Presidential spouse: Peng Liyuan Presidential Office  [ zh ] Chief: Ding Xuexiang Vice-President: Wang Qishan
Executive State Council (Central People's Government) Li Keqiang Cabinet II Premier  (list): Li Keqiang Vice-Premiers (list) Han Zheng Sun Chunlan Hu Chunhua Liu He State Councilors Wei Fenghe Wang Yong Wang Yi Xiao Jie Zhao Kezhi Secretary-General: Xiao Jie Cabinet-level departments National Development & Reform Commission Central bank National Audit Office General Office Secretary-General Deputy Secretary-Generals State-owned Assets Supervision & Administration Commission Most Central Enterprises
Military Central Military Commission (CMC) Chairman (supreme commander): Xi Jinping Vice-Chairmen: Xu Qiliang Zhang Youxia Members: Wei Fenghe Li Zuocheng Miao Hua Zhang Shengmin Departments: General Office Joint Staff Dept. Chief: Li Zuocheng Political Work Dept. Director: Miao Hua Logistic Support Dept. Equipment Development Dept. Training & Administration Dept. National Defense Mobilization Dept. Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary: Zhang Shengmin Politics & Legal Affairs Commission Science & Technology Commission Strategic Planning Office Reform & Organizational Structure Office Int'l Military Cooperation Office Audit Office Offices Administration Agency National armed forces: People's Liberation Army Theater commands   People's Armed Police   China Coast Guard   Militia State Council National Defense Mobilization Commission Chairman: Li Keqiang Ministry of National Defense Minister: Wei Fenghe Ministry of Veterans Affairs State Administration for Sci., Tech. & Industry for National Defense Military history Armed conflicts Military modernization Military reform since 2015 CMC Leading Group for Military Reform Leader: Xi Jinping
Supervision Corruption in China Anti-corruption campaign since 2012 CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (19th) Secretary: Zhao Leji Deputy Secretaries Yang Xiaodu Zhang Shengmin Liu Jinguo Yang Xiaochao Li Shulei Xu Lingyi Xiao Pei Chen Xiaojiang Secretary-General: Yang Xiaochao National Supervisory Commission Director: Yang Xiaodu Central Leading Group for Inspection Work Leader: Zhao Leji Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Central Military Commission Secretary: Zhang Shengmin Independent Commission Against Corruption (Hong Kong) Commission Against Corruption (Macau)
Judiciary Law enforcement CPC Central Politics and Law Commission Secretary: Guo Shengkun Supreme People's Court President: Zhou Qiang People's Courts Judicial Police  [ zh ] Supreme People's Procuratorate Procurator-General: Zhang Jun People's Procuratorates Judicial Police  [ zh ] State Council Ministry of Public Security Minister: Zhao Kezhi (State Councilor) Public Security Organs People's Police  [ zh ] State Immigration Administration  [ zh ] Local public security bureaus Ministry of State Security Minister: Chen Wenqing State Security Organs People's Police  [ zh ] Ministry of Justice Minister: Fu Zhenghua Judicial Administrative Organs People's Police  [ zh ] Bureau of Prison Administration  [ zh ] Urban Management (chengguan) Judiciary of Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Department of Justice Prosecutions Division Law enforcement in Hong Kong Security Bureau Regular Disciplined Services Hong Kong Police Force Judiciary of Macau Court of Final Appeal Public Prosecutions Office Secretariat for Security Macau Security Force Unitary Police Services  [ zh ] Public Security Police Judiciary Police  [ zh ]
Publicity Central Leading Group for Propaganda and Ideology Leader: Wang Huning Central Guidance Commission on Building Spiritual Civilization Director: Wang Huning Deputy Director: Huang Kunming Central Publicity (Propaganda) Department Head: Huang Kunming General Administration of Press and Publication National Film Bureau  [ zh ] State Council Information Office China Daily Ministry of Culture and Tourism National Radio and Television Administration China Media Group China Central Television China Global Television Network China National Radio China Radio International Xinhua News Agency Reference News China News Service People's Daily Global Times China Today Censorship in China Radio jamming Media of China Internal media Publishing industry in China Internet in China Internet censorship Great Firewall Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission Director: Xi Jinping Deputy director: Li Keqiang Cyberspace Administration of China Director: Xu Lin
Hong Kong Macau Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Leader: Han Zheng HK & Macau Affairs Office Director: Zhang Xiaoming Liaison Office in Hong Kong Liaison Office in Macau One country, two systems Special administrative regions Hong Kong Basic Law Chief Executive: Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor Hong Kong SAR Government Politics of Hong Kong Independence movement Mainland & HK CEPA Macao Basic Law Chief Executive: Chui Sai On Macau SAR Government Politics of Macau Mainland & Macau CEPA
Cross-Strait relations Cross-Strait relations Chinese Civil War One-China policy Political status of Taiwan Republic of China on Taiwan Taiwan Area "Taiwan Province", PRC Taiwan independence movement Anti-Secession Law Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement Chinese unification Central Leading Group for Taiwan Affairs Leader: Xi Jinping Deputy Leader: Wang Yang Taiwan Affairs Office Director: Zhang Zhijun Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits
Foreign relations Central Foreign Affairs Commission Director: Xi Jinping Deputy Director: Li Keqiang Secretary-General: Yang Jiechi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Wang Yi (State Councilor) Spokespersons Diplomatic missions Diplomatic missions in China Foreign aid to China Chinese foreign aid International Development Cooperation Agency  [ zh ] Ministry of Commerce Ministry of National Defense International Military Cooperation Office NPC Foreign Affairs Committee CPC International Liaison Department State Council Information Office State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs Overseas Chinese Affairs Office Chinese nationality law Chinese passports (Hong Kong; Macau) Visa requirements for Chinese citizens (Hong Kong, Macau) Visa policy of China (Hong Kong; Macau) State Immigration Administration  [ zh ] Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence Panda diplomacy Beijing Consensus Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Belt and Road Initiative Silk Road Fund Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank BRICS New Development Bank China and the United Nations China and the World Trade Organization China–Africa relations China–Caribbean relations China–European Union relations China–Russia relations China–United States relations
Related topics Administrative divisions Hukou system Family planning Ethnic minorities
Other countries Atlas
v t e

The succession of power in the People's Republic of China (PRC) takes place in the context of a single party system. ^[1] Despite the guarantee of universal franchise in the constitution, the appointment of the Paramount Leader lies largely in the hands of his predecessor and the powerful factions that control the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The appointment of the leader of the world’s most populous country occurs after two five year terms in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. ^[2]

Structure of Power

It is generally accepted that the Paramount leader of China holds these three official titles:

• General Secretary of the Communist Party of China - Head of the Ruling party
• President of the People's Republic of China - Nominal head of state
• Chairman of the Central Military Commission - Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces (People's Liberation Army)

In the past it was possible for the Paramount Leader to wield absolute power without holding any of the highest offices. This was the case with Deng Xiaoping who was the undisputed leader from 1978 to 1992 without holding any of the highest offices of party and state. Since his retirement, power has become more structured with the leader holding all three of the previously mentioned offices.

History

The concept of Paramount Leader was instituted during the era of Mao Zedong. The position was further established under Deng Xiaoping, however the term Paramount Leader has not been officially attributed to any other leaders. Since the retirement of Deng Xiaoping in 1992, political power in China has been held collectively by the members of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China. The General Secretary may be best described as primus inter pares, first among equals. Because the proceedings of this body are considered a state secret, the inner workings of Politburo are not made public. It is clear, however, that decision making has become consensus driven and that no single figure can any longer act unilaterally as in the days of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. ^[3]

Constitutional Mechanism

Constitutional power in the People's Republic of China is held by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCCPC). Although this group of approximately 300 members does not have power in the same way as a traditional legislative body, the most important and senior officials of the Chinese government are all members.

Within the CCCPC is the Politburo of the Communist Party of China. This body is a group of 25 individuals (currently 23 men and two women) who govern the Communist Party of China (CCP). Theoretically, the Politburo is elected by the CCCPC; however, in practice any new member of the Politburo is chosen by the current members. Politburo members hold positions in China's national government and regional positions of power simultaneously thereby consolidating the CCP’s power.

In the case of key policy decisions, topics are addressed in the Politburo which then determines actions to be taken by the national and local government. The policy direction for the entire country rests in the hands of these 25 individuals who meet together once a month. Admission into the Politburo is extremely difficult. Tight control over the body is exercised by current members who vet potential members carefully to maintain the balance of power. Good political relationships within the Politburo are essential for admittance into the group. All members of the Politburo are elected for five year terms. ^[4]

18th PolitburoIn stroke order of surnames:

Hanzi	Name	Yob	K	Office(s)
习近平	Xi Jinping	1953	—	General Secretary of the Communist Party of China President of the People's Republic of China Chairman of the Central Military Commission
李克强	Li Keqiang	1955	—	Premier of the State Council
栗战书	Li Zhanshu	1950	—	Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee
汪洋	Wang Yang	1955	—	Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
王沪宁	Wang Huning	1955	—	Secretary of the Central Secretariat (first-ranked)
赵乐际	Zhao Leji	1957	—	Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection
韩正	Han Zheng	1954	—	Vice Premier of the State Council (first-ranked)
丁薛祥	Ding Xuexiang	1962	—	Director of the General Office
王晨	Wang Chen	1950	—	Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
刘鹤	Liu He	1952	—	Vice Premier of the State Council
许其亮	Xu Qiliang	1950	§	Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
孙春兰	Sun Chunlan	1950	♀	Vice Premier of the State Council
李希	Li Xi	1956	—	Party Secretary of Guangdong
李强	Li Qiang	1959	—	Party Secretary of Shanghai
李鸿忠	Li Hongzhong	1956	—	Party Secretary of Tianjin
胡春华	Hu Chunhua	1963	—	Vice Premier of the State Council
杨洁篪	Yang Jiechi	1950	—	Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs
杨晓渡	Yang Xiaodu	1953	—	Director of the National Supervisory Commission
张又侠	Zhang Youxia	1950	§	Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
陈希	Chen Xi	1953	—	Head of the Organization Department
陈全国	Chen Quanguo	1955	—	Party Secretary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
陈敏尔	Chen Min'er	1960	—	Party Secretary of Chongqing
郭声琨	Guo Shengkun	1954	—	Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission
黄坤明	Huang Kunming	1956	—	Head of the Propaganda Department
蔡奇	Cai Qi	1955	—	Party Secretary of Beijing

Power within the Politburo is further concentrated in the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China. This group of seven members meets together weekly and is led by the General Secretary. ^[5]

18th Politburo Standing CommitteeOrdered in political position ranking

1. Xi Jinping
2. Li Keqiang
3. Zhang Dejiang
4. Yu Zhengsheng
5. Liu Yunshan
6. Wang Qishan
7. Zhang Gaoli

The election of executive leadership in the PRC is done through a process that can best be described as an indirect election. In this system, only one candidate stands for the election of any given position. Although other candidates are not allowed to formally run, write in candidates are permitted. In 2013, when the 12th National People's Congress elected Xi Jinping as president, 2952 members voted in favor and one against, with three abstentions. Similarly, in the 2008 election, Hu Jintao, then-General Secretary, President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, was re-elected by a landside. Of the 2985 members of the 11th National People's Congress, only 3 voted against Hu Jintao with another 5 abstaining.

Practical Mechanism

In practical terms, the National Congress provides a rubber stamp on a decision that is made by the Politburo and the Standing Committee. The transition of leadership can take several months. For instance, when Hu Jintao took over power from Jiang Zemin, the transition of power stretched out almost 2 years. Listed below are the dates on which Hu was appointed to each office.

• General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (November 2002)
• President of the People's Republic of China (March 2003)
• Chairman of the Central Military Commission (September 2004)

Usually the office of Chairman of the Central Military Commission is the last office handed over by the previous leader, in order to secure political influence and ensure political continuity.

Most Recent Transition

Appointments to key offices are the best predictor of who the next leader will be. The office of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) is seen by many as the last stop before becoming the leader of China. Appointment to this position is so crucial that when Xi Jinping, the current General Secretary failed to achieve this office at the 4th Plenum in 2009, many analysts suggested that he had fallen from favor and would not be the next leader of the PRC. His ultimate appointment to Vice Chairman of the CMC was seen as evidence that he had begun to consolidate his power and would ultimately succeed Hu Jintao when his term expired in 2012 at the 18th party congress. ^[6]

Absent a transparent electoral process, the appointment to key positions is the only way to predict future leadership in the PRC. Note in the table below, the path that Xi Jinping followed from a low level party official at the age of 30 to his current position of the leader of the largest country in the world.

Xi Jinping's Corresponding Political and Military Postings, 1983-2007

Years	Political Position	Military Position
1983-85	First secretary, Zhengding County, Hebei Province party committee	First political commissar and first secretary of the Party committee of People’s Armed Forces Department of Zhengding County, Hebei Province
1988-90	Secretary of the CPC Ningde Prefectural Committee, Fujian Province	First secretary of the Party committee of Ningde Sub-Military Area Command
1990-93	Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fuzhou Municipal People’s Congress	First secretary of the Party committee of Fuzhou Sub-Military Area Command
1995-96	Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Fuzhou Municipal People’s Congress	First secretary of the Party committee of Fuzhou Sub-Military Area Command
1996-99	Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee	First political commissar of the anti-aircraft artillery reserve division of Fujian Provincial Military Area Command
1999-2000	Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and acting governor of Fujian Province	Vice director of commission for national defense mobilization of Nanjing Military Area Command, director of Fujian provincial commission for national defense mobilization, first political commissar of antiaircraft artillery reserve division of Fujian Provincial Military Area Command
2000-02	Deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and governor of Fujian Province	Vice director of commission for national defense mobilization of Nanjing Military Area Command, director of Fujian provincial commission for national defense mobilization, first political commissar of antiaircraft artillery reserve division of Fujian Provincial Military Area Command
2002	Deputy secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and acting governor of Zhejiang Province	Vice director of commission for national defense mobilization of Nanjing Military Area Command, director of Zhejiang provincial commission for national defense mobilization
2002-03	Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and acting governor of Zhejiang Province	First secretary of the Party committee of Zhejiang Provincial Military Area Command, vice director of commission for national defense mobilization of Nanjing Military Area Command, director of Zhejiang provincial commission for national defense mobilization
2003-07	Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Congress	First secretary of the Party committee of Zhejiang Provincial Military Area Command
2003-07	Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee	First secretary of the Party committee of Shanghai Garrison

^[7]

As long as the Chinese government remains secretive about the inner workings of the Politburo, past behavior will continue to be the most effective tool for predicting future appointments. In this context, the appointment of a candidate to key offices is still the best indicator of their future role. For example, the appointment of Xi Jinping as the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China signposted with a reasonable amount of confidence that he would be the next leader of the People's Republic of China.

See also

• General Secretary of the Communist Party of China
• List of Chinese leaders
• Paramount Leader
• Political position ranking of the People's Republic of China
• Premier of the People's Republic of China
• President of the People's Republic of China

References

1. Folsom, Ralph (1992). Law and Politics in the People's Republic of China. West Group. pp. 76–77. ISBN   0-314-00999-X.
2. "Constitution of the People's Republic of China". National People's Congress. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
3. "In China, democracy is only in the Politburo: WikiLeaks". Hindustan Times. December 19, 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
4. Miller, Alice (28 June 2010). "The 18th Central Committee Politburo: A Quixotic, Foolhardy, Rashly Speculative, But Nonetheless Ruthlessly Reasoned Projection" (PDF). China Leadership Monitor. 33. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
5. Miller, Alice (28 June 2010). "The 18th Central Committee Politburo: A Quixotic, Foolhardy, Rashly Speculative, But Nonetheless Ruthlessly Reasoned Projection" (PDF). China Leadership Monitor. 33. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
6. Mulvenon, James (22 February 2011). "Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission: Bridesmaid or Bride?". China Leadership Monitor. 34. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
7. Mulvenon, James (22 February 2011). "Xi Jinping and the Central Military Commission" Bridesmaid or Bride?". China Leadership Monitor. 34. Retrieved 30 March 2011.