1. Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners
Section 8. Governing System
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

2. Outline Introduction Collective leadership: Apparatus Road ahead
at the highest level: The Politburo Standing Committee
Collective leadership at other levels of government
Apparatus
Party: the ruling political party of China
Administrative : Legislative, executive and judicial branches in China
Road ahead
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

3. Introduction Collective leadership:
a structure of political system similar to the partnership structure of a law firm;
at any given level of government, consensus or at least majority support is needed for major decisions.
China's Politburo
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

4. Introduction
The collective leadership is always determined by the level above it.
the Politburo Standing Committee is essentially chosen by the previous generation of leaders;
ministers and governors are essentially determined by the very top of the central government.
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

5. Introduction
Two institutionalized mechanisms also ensure the operation of the collective:
a strict age limit for stepping down at each level;
no serving in the same position for over two terms.
To prevent a repeat of the absolute authority：
some degree of democratic decision making;
a unique dual system of checks and balances between the party and the administrative apparatus.
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

6. The collective leadership at the highest level: The Politburo Standing Committee
the de facto highest level decision making body in China;
the number of members has always been odd to prevent voting deadlocks (7).
Elected during the CPC National Congress every 5 years .
in reality the members is determined by complex negotiations of various power factions in the party.
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

7. The collective leadership at the highest level: The Politburo Standing Committee
The incumbent Politburo Standing Committee
elected in November 2012;
the seven members are Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli.
The incumbent Politburo Standing Committee of the CPC
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

8. Collective leadership at other levels of government
The structure of the Politburo Standing Committee is replicated at all branches and levels in China.
The chairman of the committee at a given level is the top leader.
the lower the level of government, the more power the administrative leader has; e.g., university
there is always tension between the party secretary and the number-two leader.
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

9. Collective leadership at other levels of government
In a state owned enterprise, if a deal involves acquiring land, who will be the final decision maker?
In autonomous regions, who will be the number-one person ?
Female has ever been elected to the Politburo Standing Committee?
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

10. The ruling political party: Communist Party of China
Figure: Structure of Communist Party of China
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

11. The ruling political party: Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China (CPC) .
the ruling political party;
the Central Committee as the highest authority within the party;
the CPC also has a Central Military Commission as the supreme military policy-making body.
The Chinese Communist Party Congress
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

12. The ruling political party: Communist Party of China
the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
The inspector general within the party;
this commission has tremendous power;
Investigations conducted by this commission are famously known as “shuanggui”.
Vice premier Wang Qianshan, head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Wang Qianshan, Vice premier, head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

13. The government: Legislative, executive and judicial branches in China
Figure: Structure of the government.
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

14. The government: Legislative, executive and judicial branches in China
The National People’s Congress (NPC)
the highest national legislature in China.
empowered to name the President of the state , Premier, and President of the Supreme People’s Court.
The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
not elected but often highly sought after(e.g., business owners);
with little real power;
used to accommodate members of other political parties.
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners

15. Road ahead
It is hard to predict how the governing structure might change.
We believe Xi will gradually assume a much more prominent role.
he is likely to have a much bigger say in how China will operate compared to his two predecessors.
Xi and his predecessors.
The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014
Chapter 34. Political System: Governing as Partners