Political System of China

1. National People’s Congress 

National People’s Congress, abbreviated NPC, is the highest organ of state power. NPC representatives are elected by citizens of the People's Republic of China who have reached the age of 18, regardless of ethnic status, race, sex, occupation, family background, religious belief, education, property status and length of residence. According to the regulations, each province and area, each political party, each profession and each nationality should have corresponding quantity of representatives. Representative is elected for a term of five years and takes part in the congress once each year. Generally, the NPC will be held in March in Beijing to review the past year and make plans for the coming year. Proposals collected from the public by representatives are also discussed in the congress. During the intercessional period, the Standing Committee of NPC takes in charge of the work of NPC.

 

2. Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference 

Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, abbreviated CPPCC, is an organization of the patriotic united front of the Chinese people as well as an important organ for the development of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC. CPPCC members come from various democratic parties, democrats with no party affiliations, people's organizations and public figures from all walks of life. Each member is elected for a term of five years and takes part in the congress once each year. CPPCC is usually held in March in Beijing, to review the past year and make plans for the coming year. CPPCC representatives also have proposals collected from the public to be discussed in the congress. 

NPC and CPPCC are held in the same period in the early March every year; they are known as Lianghui (two congresses) in China.

 

3. National Congress of the Communist Party of China 

National Congress of the Communist Party of China is a party congress, which is held once every five years generally in the months of October or November at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. It is the supreme leader organization as well as a symbolic part of leadership changes in China. The congress elects the members of the Central Committee, and the Central Committee elects the members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.

 

4. Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the CPC 

Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the CPC is the most decisive political meeting in China, organized by the Political Bureau and generally at least once each year. Generally, the meeting has two subjects; the Political Bureau reports the past year’s work to the Central Committee, and to discuss the relevant topics about economic construction and social development of the country.