Examining the Modern Chinese Government and Political Parties

When we think of China, our minds often drift to pictures of the Great Wall, exotic cuisine, and unique culture. But what lies beyond the popular attractions and far reaching historic impacts of the world’s oldest continuous civilization? Uncovering the intricacies of the modern Chinese government and political parties is the key to understanding the complexities of the world’s second largest economy.

As a leader in the global arena, China’s political framework has changed drastically over the last few decades. In order to properly follow this evolution, it is important to understand what the Chinese system of government looks like today.

Governmental Structure

The People’s Republic of China is a unitary communist state. The political structure is led by the Communist Party of China, and is divided into 30 provincial level territorial divisions, five autonomous regions and two special administrative regions (Hong Kong and Macau).

The Communist Party of China establishes policy for the entire country and holds power over the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the Chinese government. Each of these branches is administered by a council of individuals who are appointed by the Communist Party. The Communist Party leader is considered the highest office in the state, and is both leader of the party and head of state. Individuals within the party are elected democratically by party officials, according to self reported party membership figures.

Political Parties

Currently there are eight legally permitted political parties within China. These parties are organized under the auspices of the Communist Party of China and serve to represent not just distinct minority groups, but also distinct political perspectives. The eight parties are the China Democratic League, the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, the China Zhi Gong Party, the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, the Jiu San Society, the General Association of Korean Nationals in China, the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, and the China Association for Promoting Democracy.

The Communist Party of China is the only party with both privileged and official status. This means it is the only party that has the right to govern or form a government. All other parties are viewed as “democratic parties” and are expected to follow the leadership of the Communist Party. It is important to note that the Chinese Constitution allows the freedom of association and assembly, as long as orders from the party are not violated.
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Conclusion

Understanding the structure of Chinese government and the expansive yet limited political landscape are essential to grasping its current position as a world power. China’s complex history has enabled the nation to make huge strides in modernity, while still keeping its cultural identity firmly set in its past. As we progress into the future, further advancements will be made and more questions will be presented, but the answers may be found in the intricacies of the Chinese government and political parties.

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