Government and Politics of China

Government Type

Communist state

Administrative Divisions

23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**, Chongqing**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang; note - China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau

Legal System

a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen of China dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: while naturalization is theoretically possible, in practical terms it is extremely difficult; residency is required but not specified

Executive Branch

chief of state: President XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013) and Vice President HAN Zheng (since 10 March 2023) head of government: Premier LI Qiang (since 11 March 2023); Executive Vice Premier DING Xuexiang (since 11 March 2023), and Vice Premiers LIU Guozhong, MA Xingrui, and ZHANG Guoqing (all since 11 March 2023) cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC) elections: president and vice president elected by the National People's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 10 March 2023 (next to be held March 2028); premier nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress election results: XI Jinping reelected president by the 14th National People's Congress with a total of 2,952 votes (no delegates voted against him, none abstained); HAN Zheng elected vice president by the 14th National People's Congress; LI Qiang confirmed as premier with 2,936 votes in favor and three abstentions

Legislative Branch

Unicameral National People's Congress (NPC), or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (currently 2,977 seats; members are not directly elected by the public but are chosen by provincial, autonomous regional, and municipal people's congresses, as well as the People's Liberation Army, to serve five-year terms). The NPC meets annually, typically in March, and is the highest organ of state power under China's constitution, though in practice legislative authority is closely guided by the Chinese Communist Party. Elections: The most recent full NPC election cycle concluded in early 2023, with the 14th National People's Congress formally constituted in March 2023. The next full election is expected to be held in 2028. Election results: Percent of vote - NA; seats by party - the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated bodies hold the overwhelming majority of seats, with a small number allocated to representatives of the eight legally recognized minor parties that operate under CCP leadership.

Judicial Branch

Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local Peoples Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and local courts); Special Peoples Courts (primarily military, maritime, and railway transport courts)

Political Parties

Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP

Head of State

President XI Jinping and Vice President HAN Zheng

Head of Government

Premier LI Qiang

Cabinet

State Council appointed by National People’s Congress (NPC)

Elections

The most recent full NPC election cycle concluded in early 2023, with the 14th National People's Congress formally constituted in March 2023. The next full election is expected to be held in 2028.

Election Results

Percent of vote - NA; seats by party - the Chinese Communist Party and its affiliated bodies hold the overwhelming majority of seats, with a small number allocated to representatives of the eight legally recognized minor parties that operate under CCP leadership.

Constitution

most recent promulgation 4 December 1982

Independence

221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People's Republic established 1 October 1949)

National Holiday

Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949)

International Organization Participation

AfDB, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), OPCW, PCA, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador ZHOU Wenzhong chancery: 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2500 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2582 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Los Angeles

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Clark T. RANDT, Jr. embassy: Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, 100600 Beijing mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone: [86] (10) 6532-3831 FAX: [86] (10) 6532-3178 consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, Shanghai, Shenyang

Capital City

Beijing

Location

39 55 N, 116 23 E

Time Difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: China is the largest country (in terms of area) with just one time zone; before 1949 it was divided into five

History

the Chinese meaning is "Northern Capital"

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing China No. 55 An Jia Lou Road Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 Telephone: (86) (10) 8531-4000 Emergency after-hours telephone: (86) (10) 8531-4000 The Embassy consular district includes the municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin and the provinces/autonomous regions of Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Inner Mongolia, Jiangxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, and Xinjiang. The U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041. Telephone: (86)(28) 8558-3992 Emergency after-hours telephone: (86) (10) 8531-4000 This consular district includes the provinces/autonomous regions of Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang (Tibet), and Yunnan, as well as the municipality of Chongqing. The U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou 43 Huajiu Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China Telephone: (86) (20) 3814-5775 Emergency after-hours telephone: (86) (10) 8531-4000 This consular district includes the provinces/autonomous regions of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and Fujian. The U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai Westgate Mall, 8th Floor, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200031 Telephone: (86)(21) 3217-4650 Emergency after-hours telephone: (86) (21) 3217-4650 This consular district includes Shanghai municipality and the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The U.S. Consulate General in Shenyang No. 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003 Telephone: (86)(24) 2322-1198 Emergency after-hours telephone: (86) (10) 8531-4000 This consular district includes the provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. The U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan New World International Trade Tower I No. 568, Jianshe Avenue Hankou, Wuhan 430022 Telephone: (86) (027) 8555-7791 Emergency after-hours telephone: (86) (10) 8531-4000 [Please note that consular services are provided only during quarterly outreaches in Wuhan. Contact the Embassy in Beijing for other consular and emergency services.]

Military Branches

People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (PLAN; includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (Zhongguo Renmin Jiefangjun Kongjun, PLAAF; includes Airborne Forces), and Second Artillery Corps (strategic missile force); People's Armed Police (Renmin Wuzhuang Jingcha Budui, PAP); PLA Reserve Force

Service Age and Obligation

18-24 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with a 2-year service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs; a recent military decision allows women in combat roles; the first class of women warship commanders was in 2011