People’s Republic of China

Political Background China has a political history over 5,000 years old, but its present constitution is only about 60 years old The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was born in 1949 It was established by Mao Zedong after his Communists defeated Chiang Kai-shek and his Nationalists The United States supported Chiang Kai-shek, but the long ignored peasants backed Mao Zedong and the Communists Mao Zedong Chiang Kai-shek Taiwan China

China Under Mao Mao turned to central planning and Five Year Plans to boost agricultural production Frequent and drastic changes often led to chaos Cultural Revolution in the mid-1960’s sought to purge China of the Four Olds: Old Thoughts Old Culture Old Customs Old Habits Red Guards attacked teachers, intellectuals, and anyone who lacked “revolutionary fervor” Many artists and scholars were sent to camp to be “re-educated” Mao abandoned the effort in 1968 after seeing the havoc it wreaked.

Reform and Repression Mao dies in 1976 Deng Xiaoping comes to power Loosens government control on economy Allows for some forms of private enterprise Still does not allow any political dissent Tiananmen Square (1989) Students and workers hold demonstrations calling for democracy Soldiers attack protesters with guns and tanks Thousands are killed outraging the world community Deng Xiaoping

Chinese Constitution Adopted in 1954 Unlike U.S. Constitution, it is not a fundamental law, but rather is intended to reflect current government policies China has had four constitutions since 1954

China’s Communist Party China’s Communist Party has 58 million members and is the world’s largest political party Top-ranking members hold the highest positions in government and the military The Communist Party of China is the de-facto government of China National Party Congress (1,900 members)– meets every five years to elect a Central Committee Central Committee (300 members) elects the Politburo Politburo (20 members) makes party policy Secretariat makes day-to-day decisions Politburo (20) Central Committee (300) National Party Congress (1,900)

The National Government National People’s Congress (3,000 deputies) holds little real power State Council (main body of the executive branch) Headed by the Premier (chosen by the Central Committee of the Communist Party) Standing Committee has decision-making authority and decisions have the force of law

The Judicial System Nationwide system of “people’s courts” supervised by the Supreme People’s Court. Capital punishment is used for many crimes (bribery, embezzlement, drug dealing) Guarantees of a fair trial are largely non-existent

Local Political Divisions Unitary government with central government exerting control over local subdivisions 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions (including Hong Kong which was ceded to China from the United Kingdom in 1997).

Taiwan Taiwan is also known as the Republic of China It is consider by mainland (communist) People’s Republic of China to be a renegade province The United States has changed its position on China, recognizing communist China as the one China but also vowing to protect Taiwan against communist Chinese aggression.