As the only political party in China, the Communist Party of China(CPC) takes the lead in governing all aspects of Chinese Society. The Communist Party has created a political system intertwined with the governing system. In theory the state and the communist party are two separate entities, but because the two systems are so intertwined the Communist Party essentially runs the People's Republic of China.

The Chinese Communist Party is made up of many groups, called organs. The main organs are the National Party Congress, the Political Bureau and its leaders the Political Bureau Standing Committee, the Secretariat, the Military Commission, and the Discipline Inspection Commission. These groups all have decision making power and are in charge of coordinating the implementation of the changes they make throughout the country with the many other state commissions. The key leadership positions in these bureaus are selected by the communist party, in the lower administrations the leader chosen is allowed to appoint their own staff to run their commission.

China's constitution actually subjects the CPC to the authority of the state, but because all key state positions are held by party members the party is in control of the state government as well. Often the leader of a state commission also holds that leadership position in the corresponding party commission. For example the head of the state's education administration will also be the head of the CPC's education commission. Through this kind of organization the CPC can make decisions within the party, then have the members carry out the plans on the state side. They also have the authority to amend the constitution to support their plans for the country. These changes are usually made by the Political Bureau and are approved by the National Party Congress every five years.

In the past it was easy for one person to gain prominence among the people and solely direct the movement of the country. Since then, the Communist Party has implemented several protections to prevent anyone from circumventing this system of power. When the country's leaders began exerting more authority in the decision making processes, the Communist Party put a restriction of two consecutive terms on the offices of President, Vice President and State Council. This would limit the influence any one person could have over the country. Although they didn't place any limits on the terms of service of their own positions, the communist party has large personnel shakeups in all congresses every ten years, and a mandatory retirement age for its politicians.

The Communist Party has more than 10 million members who also act as government officials, and because their members permeate the state administrations, the Communist Party of China has absolute power over the People's Republic of China. Through this parallel system between the political party and the state government they control the government at all levels and are able to direct the lives of all Chinese citizens however they see fit.

Learn more about this author, Nicole Parris.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about The role of the Communist Party within the People's Republic of China?
We want to hear your view. Write now!