1. Chinese Political Institutions
March 20, 2017

2. A Mirror Image

3. Legislative Branch National Party Congress 2000 delegates
Chosen primarily by congresses at lower levels
Meets every 5 years
Rubberstamps decisions of party leaders
Main purpose is to elect members to Central Committee
Has gained some independence recently
National People Congress
2987 delegates for unicameral legislature
Elected by provincial peoples assembly.
Meet 1 time a year for two weeks typically in spring.
In 2008 session 21.3% women and 13.8% minority.
Rubberstamps legislation
Main purpose is to elect president and approve the premier.
Five year terms.

4. The Executive Branch General Secretary of the CCP
or Head of the Central Military Commission = President
Member of the Standing Committee is Premier
Politburo 24 members/ Standing Committee 7 members very top officials of the CCP who meet in secret
Central Committee 340 members who meet annually for one week.
Choose the political elites
President and Premier
Both serve 5 year terms and are limited to 2 terms
Both must be 45 years old.
Largely ceremonial positions
Premier is head of government
Premier is appointed by the president
Directs the State Council which is composed of ministers who direct the bureaucracy

5. President and former President
Xi Jinping (2013) & Hu Jintao

6. Premier (2013) & FormerPremier
Li Keqiang (2013) & Wen Jiabao

7. The Judicial Branch 4 tiered “People’s Court” National Province County
Village/Township

8. People’s Procuratorate
Provides public defenders and prosecutors to the courts
There is a Rule of Law which was absent until 1978
Conviction Rate is 99% of all cases that come to trial.
Prison terms are long and it is difficult to get an appeal.
China has been for its death penalty use. Deemed excessive.
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Chapter 3