17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
Encyclopedia
The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China
(Abbreviation in ) was held in Beijing, China, at the Great Hall of the People
from 15 to 21 October 2007. The Congress marked significant shift in the political direction of the country as CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao
solidified his position of leadership. Hu's signature policy doctrine, the Scientific Development Concept
, which aimed to create a "Harmonious Society
" through egalitarian wealth distribution and concern for the country's less well-off, was enshrined into the Party Constitution.
The Congress also set up the political scene for a smooth transition to the fifth generation of party leadership
, introducing rising political stars Xi Jinping
and Li Keqiang
to the Politburo Standing Committee
(PSC), the country's de facto top decision-making body. Vice-President Zeng Qinghong
, and important ally of former General secretary Jiang Zemin
, retired from the PSC. Party anti-graft chief Wu Guanzheng
, and Legal and Political Commission chief Luo Gan
also retired due to age.
is a significant event in Chinese politics since it nominally decides the leadership of the People's Republic of China. (The Politburo Standing Committee makes major policy decisions for the government to implement and the National People's Congress
in the following March will elevate its members to top government positions.) The 17th Party Congress is estimated to attract over 1350 foreign and domestic journalists.
Although the Congress formally elects the Central Committee and Politburo, in practice these positions are negotiated before the congress, and the Congress has never functioned as a deliberative assembly
. Nominees to Party positions are invariably elected by wide margins, with a tightly controlled candidate-to-position ratio. There is room for symbolic protest vote
s ("no" or "abstain" votes) that embarrass the party leadership. Despite its symbolic nature, it maintains an important role because it is the occasion at which the results of these deliberations are publicly announced, and in which the PRC leadership faces both domestic and foreign reporters in a press conference.
Since the mid-1980s, the Communist Party has attempted to maintain a smooth and orderly succession and avoid a cult of personality
, by having a major shift in personnel every ten years in even-number party congresses, and by promoting people in preparation for this shift in odd-number party congresses. These mechanisms have been institutionalized by mandatory retirement ages, and provisions in both the Party and state constitutions that limit the term of office of officials to two five-year terms.
at the National People's Congress
in March–April 2008. Wen Jiabao, too, retained his seat on the PSC. In addition odd-number party congresses have also served as forums in which the top leadership have institutionalized their policy views as additions to party doctrine, in preparation for their retirement at the next party congress. Hu's version of this doctrine is termed the Scientific Development Concept
to develop a "harmonious society
", which is to follow Marxism-Leninism
, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory
and the Three Represents
as a guiding ideology in the Party's constitution.
, China's de facto ruling body, and which older cadres will be retired. The youngest person currently on the Politburo
is only two years younger than Hu, and consequently there is the widespread belief that Hu's successor will not come from the members currently on the Politburo but rather from the next generation of leaders.
Some commentators have argued that the most significant outcome will not be who is named as Hu's successor, but the manner in which the successor is chosen. Two possibilities exist. Consistent with past practice, the Party leadership could anoint one person as the chosen successor. Alternatively, the Party leadership could name two people as plausible successors with the final decision to be taken at the next party congress.
There is on-going speculation and intrigue about Hu's successor. Although the subject of succession speculation is largely taboo within the mainland Chinese media, Hong Kong and Taiwan media, as well as western media, have predicted a hot contest between Xi Jinping
and Li Keqiang
, currently party chief in Shanghai and Liaoning, respectively.
On 16 October, Xinhua and People's Daily both had headline articles giving prominence to Hu Jintao visiting delegates of the Jiangsu
delegation, possibly signifying the elevation of Li Yuanchao
.
. In addition, Hubei
, Guangdong
, Chongqing
and possibly Tianjin
will all go through regional leadership changes. Because of the pyramid structure of the party and the existence of mandatory retirement ages, cadres who are not promoted at a party congress are likely to face the end of their political careers. Current provincial level officials see the Congress as a chance for promotion to Beijing. The Congress will also be significant in determining the amount of influence still held by former General secretary Jiang Zemin
, as reflected by the personnel changes.
Although Hong Kong has its separate political system, the Congress is being watched closely by the Special Administrative Region as well. Hong Kong media has often been very vocal in speculation and in reporting events of the Congress. The political direction set by the decisions will have a large impact in the direction of Hong Kong's development in the coming years as well. Taiwan
, which recently made another series of moves provoking Beijing, will pay attention to the 17th Congress due to the variations in the direction determined by the current leadership, even though it is very unlikely that China's Taiwan policy will change.
The great majority of these are cadres, but about 30% are model workers, and there are about 20 private businesspeople. The number of candidates shortlisted by local Central Committees was 15% more than the number of delegates required, allowing local Party Congress members some degree of choice in the election. State media claimed this was "an improvement over past practices" (5% more in 1997 and 10% more in 2002), but noted heavy supervision of the election process by national Party authorities. In addition, elected delegates had to be approved by the 17th Delegate Status Inspection Committee, and the national Central Committee reserved the right to "select some veteran Party members who have quit their leading posts to attend the upcoming Party congress as specially-invited delegates".
Two prominent delegates are known to have died since the election finished in April 2007, Major-General Wang Shaojun, and former Vice-Premier Huang Ju
.
, although he himself was not part of the new Central Committee. Most of those elected will take up the equivalent state positions after the National People's Congress
in 2008, although key positions and existing vacancies on the State Council
may change before and during the Congress. In the Central Committee elections on 21 October 2007, the margin of dropped off candidates was 8.3%, a three point percentage increase from last year. The increased percentage seems to signify greater "inner Party democracy", and increased power among the delegates. I.e., only 204 out of 221 candidates shortlisted for the Central Committee survived the electoral process. In the new central committee, 107 of the 204 members are new members.
. It was delivered to the first session of the Congress on 15 October 2007, and lasted well over two hours, and was broadcast on all major television and radio stations in the country. The event marked the first major live public address by Hu since taking over power in 2002. It laid heavy emphasis on Hu's Scientific Development Perspective as the current guiding ideology in succession to Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Three Represents
, with the goal of continuing Socialism with Chinese characteristics and eventual harmonious society.
Western media have generally concentrated on the lack of novelty with Hu's speech, citing that there was no references to political reform during the report. The Communist Party's grip onto power is unlikely to waver for another period of time. Domestically, however, Hu's ideology is a novel addition to the current ideologies of the CPC, adding more of a populist focus, although the political rhetoric in the report was apparent. Hu stressed inner-party democracy, and repeated the word "democracy" 60 times in the speech according to Xinhua. In addition, Hu received applause a total of over 40 times, well over Jiang's record of 16 five years earlier.
During the speech former General secretary Jiang Zemin
seemed very tired, was constantly yawning, and was not paying much attention. Jiang seldom talked to Wen Jiabao
, who was sitting to his left. Wen was paying full attention to Hu's speech for its entire length. Hong Kong media noted that Jiang left the Great Hall without shaking anyone's hand, and that no one came up to shake his. Surprisingly, Mao's successor Hua Guofeng
also attended the Congress as a delegate. All the surviving members of the 14th and 15th PSC's were present, including former Premiers Li Peng
and Zhu Rongji
, but with the exception of Jiang rival Qiao Shi
.
There were work reports from key party leaders and institutions, providing the Party's analysis of the previous quinquennium and its agenda for the next five years. It is possible that the speech will also answer calls for inner-party democracy, i.e. decentralization within the one-party system.
, Wu Bangguo
, Wen Jiabao
, Jia Qinglin
, Li Changchun
, from the 16th Central Committee, in addition to four newcomers:
.
In stroke order of surnames
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
(Abbreviation in ) was held in Beijing, China, at the Great Hall of the People
Great Hall of the People
The Great Hall of the People is located at the western edge of Tiananmen Square, Beijing, People's Republic of China, and is used for legislative and ceremonial activities by the People's Republic of China and the Communist Party of China. It functions as the People's Republic of China's...
from 15 to 21 October 2007. The Congress marked significant shift in the political direction of the country as CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
solidified his position of leadership. Hu's signature policy doctrine, the Scientific Development Concept
Scientific Development Concept
The scientific development concept, sometimes translated as the scientific development perspective, is the current official guiding socio-economic ideology of the Communist Party of China incorporating sustainable development, social welfare, a humanistic society, increased democracy, and,...
, which aimed to create a "Harmonious Society
Harmonious society
The construction of a Harmonious Society is a socio-economic vision that is said to be the ultimate end result of Chinese leader Hu Jintao's signature ideology of the Scientific Development Concept. It serves as the ultimate goal for the ruling Communist Party of China along with Xiaokang society,...
" through egalitarian wealth distribution and concern for the country's less well-off, was enshrined into the Party Constitution.
The Congress also set up the political scene for a smooth transition to the fifth generation of party leadership
Generations of Chinese leadership
Because both the Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army promote according to seniority, it is possible to discern distinct generations of Chinese leadership...
, introducing rising political stars Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping is a high ranking politician of the People's Republic of China. He currently serves as the top-ranking member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, the country's Vice President, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the Central Party School and the...
and Li Keqiang
Li Keqiang
Li Keqiang is the First-ranking Vice-Premier and deputy Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the seventh ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the People's Republic of China's de facto highest decision-making body...
to the Politburo Standing Committee
Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China
The Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China is a committee consisting of the top leadership of the Communist Party of China, whose membership varies between 5 and 9 people. The inner workings of the PSC are not well known, although it is believed that decisions of the PSC are...
(PSC), the country's de facto top decision-making body. Vice-President Zeng Qinghong
Zeng Qinghong
Zeng Qinghong was the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China from 2003 to 2008. He became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee during the 2002 16th Party Congress. Although he was formally ranked fifth in the nine PSC...
, and important ally of former General secretary Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin is a former Chinese politician, who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1989 to 2002, as President of the People's Republic of China from 1993 to 2003, and as Chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2005...
, retired from the PSC. Party anti-graft chief Wu Guanzheng
Wu Guanzheng
Wu Guanzheng was the head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, an anti-corruption body from 2002 to 2007.-Career:...
, and Legal and Political Commission chief Luo Gan
Luo Gan
Luo Gan is a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and former Political and Legislative Affairs Committee secretary of the People's Republic of China.-Biography:...
also retired due to age.
Significance
A Communist Party CongressNational Congress of the Communist Party of China
The National Congress of the Communist Party of China is a party congress that is held about once every five years. The National Congress is theoretically the highest body within the Communist Party of China, but in practice important decisions are made before the meeting. Since 1987 the National...
is a significant event in Chinese politics since it nominally decides the leadership of the People's Republic of China. (The Politburo Standing Committee makes major policy decisions for the government to implement and the National People's Congress
National People's Congress
The National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
in the following March will elevate its members to top government positions.) The 17th Party Congress is estimated to attract over 1350 foreign and domestic journalists.
Although the Congress formally elects the Central Committee and Politburo, in practice these positions are negotiated before the congress, and the Congress has never functioned as a deliberative assembly
Deliberative assembly
A deliberative assembly is an organization comprising members who use parliamentary procedure to make decisions. In a speech to the electorate at Bristol in 1774, Edmund Burke described the English Parliament as a "deliberative assembly," and the expression became the basic term for a body of...
. Nominees to Party positions are invariably elected by wide margins, with a tightly controlled candidate-to-position ratio. There is room for symbolic protest vote
Protest vote
A protest vote is a vote cast in an election to demonstrate the caster's unhappiness with the choice of candidates or refusal of the current political system...
s ("no" or "abstain" votes) that embarrass the party leadership. Despite its symbolic nature, it maintains an important role because it is the occasion at which the results of these deliberations are publicly announced, and in which the PRC leadership faces both domestic and foreign reporters in a press conference.
Since the mid-1980s, the Communist Party has attempted to maintain a smooth and orderly succession and avoid a cult of personality
Cult of personality
A cult of personality arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods, to create an idealized and heroic public image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise. Cults of personality are usually associated with dictatorships...
, by having a major shift in personnel every ten years in even-number party congresses, and by promoting people in preparation for this shift in odd-number party congresses. These mechanisms have been institutionalized by mandatory retirement ages, and provisions in both the Party and state constitutions that limit the term of office of officials to two five-year terms.
Effects on current leadership
Based on previous practice, Hu Jintao was confirmed for another term as Party General Secretary, and therefore will be re-elected as state PresidentPresident of the People's Republic of China
The President of the People's Republic of China is a ceremonial office and a part of State organs under the National People's Congress and it is the head of state of the People's Republic of China . The office was created by the 1982 Constitution...
at the National People's Congress
National People's Congress
The National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
in March–April 2008. Wen Jiabao, too, retained his seat on the PSC. In addition odd-number party congresses have also served as forums in which the top leadership have institutionalized their policy views as additions to party doctrine, in preparation for their retirement at the next party congress. Hu's version of this doctrine is termed the Scientific Development Concept
Scientific Development Concept
The scientific development concept, sometimes translated as the scientific development perspective, is the current official guiding socio-economic ideology of the Communist Party of China incorporating sustainable development, social welfare, a humanistic society, increased democracy, and,...
to develop a "harmonious society
Harmonious society
The construction of a Harmonious Society is a socio-economic vision that is said to be the ultimate end result of Chinese leader Hu Jintao's signature ideology of the Scientific Development Concept. It serves as the ultimate goal for the ruling Communist Party of China along with Xiaokang society,...
", which is to follow Marxism-Leninism
Marxism-Leninism
Marxism–Leninism is a communist ideology, officially based upon the theories of Marxism and Vladimir Lenin, that promotes the development and creation of a international communist society through the leadership of a vanguard party over a revolutionary socialist state that represents a dictatorship...
, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory
Deng Xiaoping Theory
Deng Xiaoping Theory , also known as Dengism, is the series of political and economic ideologies first developed by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. In theory, it does not reject Marxism or Mao Zedong Thought but instead seeks to adapt them to the existing socio-economic conditions of China.Since the...
and the Three Represents
Three Represents
The Three Represents is a socio-political ideology credited to General Secretary Jiang Zemin which became a guiding ideology of the Communist Party of China at its Sixteenth Party Congress in 2002....
as a guiding ideology in the Party's constitution.
Effects on succession
More interesting and unpredictable are the selection of the younger cadres who will be promoted to the PolitburoPolitburo
Politburo , literally "Political Bureau [of the Central Committee]," is the executive committee for a number of communist political parties.-Marxist-Leninist states:...
, China's de facto ruling body, and which older cadres will be retired. The youngest person currently on the Politburo
Politburo
Politburo , literally "Political Bureau [of the Central Committee]," is the executive committee for a number of communist political parties.-Marxist-Leninist states:...
is only two years younger than Hu, and consequently there is the widespread belief that Hu's successor will not come from the members currently on the Politburo but rather from the next generation of leaders.
Some commentators have argued that the most significant outcome will not be who is named as Hu's successor, but the manner in which the successor is chosen. Two possibilities exist. Consistent with past practice, the Party leadership could anoint one person as the chosen successor. Alternatively, the Party leadership could name two people as plausible successors with the final decision to be taken at the next party congress.
There is on-going speculation and intrigue about Hu's successor. Although the subject of succession speculation is largely taboo within the mainland Chinese media, Hong Kong and Taiwan media, as well as western media, have predicted a hot contest between Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping is a high ranking politician of the People's Republic of China. He currently serves as the top-ranking member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, the country's Vice President, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the Central Party School and the...
and Li Keqiang
Li Keqiang
Li Keqiang is the First-ranking Vice-Premier and deputy Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the seventh ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the People's Republic of China's de facto highest decision-making body...
, currently party chief in Shanghai and Liaoning, respectively.
On 16 October, Xinhua and People's Daily both had headline articles giving prominence to Hu Jintao visiting delegates of the Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
delegation, possibly signifying the elevation of Li Yuanchao
Li Yuanchao
Li Yuanchao is a prominent politician in the People's Republic of China, serving on the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and as the head of its Organization Department. From 2002-2007 Li served as the Communist Party of China Secretary of Jiangsu, the first-in-charge of an area of...
.
Effects on lower party officials
In addition, as people at the top level of the party retire, there is room for younger members of the party to move up one level. Hence the party congress is a time of a general personnel reshuffle, and the climax of negotiations that involve not only the top leadership but practically all significant political positions in Mainland China. Notably, fifth-generation leadership hopefuls Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang will leave vacancies in the top leadership position of Shanghai and LiaoningLiaoning
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the northeast of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "辽" , a name taken from the Liao River that flows through the province. "Níng" means "peace"...
. In addition, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
, Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
and possibly Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
will all go through regional leadership changes. Because of the pyramid structure of the party and the existence of mandatory retirement ages, cadres who are not promoted at a party congress are likely to face the end of their political careers. Current provincial level officials see the Congress as a chance for promotion to Beijing. The Congress will also be significant in determining the amount of influence still held by former General secretary Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin is a former Chinese politician, who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1989 to 2002, as President of the People's Republic of China from 1993 to 2003, and as Chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2005...
, as reflected by the personnel changes.
Although Hong Kong has its separate political system, the Congress is being watched closely by the Special Administrative Region as well. Hong Kong media has often been very vocal in speculation and in reporting events of the Congress. The political direction set by the decisions will have a large impact in the direction of Hong Kong's development in the coming years as well. Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, which recently made another series of moves provoking Beijing, will pay attention to the 17th Congress due to the variations in the direction determined by the current leadership, even though it is very unlikely that China's Taiwan policy will change.
Delegates
2,219 delegates were elected as delegates to the Congress through a series of staggered elections in which one level of the party elects delegates to the next higher party congress. This system has the effect that the party leadership through the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China can control elections and block the election of anyone it finds unacceptable.The great majority of these are cadres, but about 30% are model workers, and there are about 20 private businesspeople. The number of candidates shortlisted by local Central Committees was 15% more than the number of delegates required, allowing local Party Congress members some degree of choice in the election. State media claimed this was "an improvement over past practices" (5% more in 1997 and 10% more in 2002), but noted heavy supervision of the election process by national Party authorities. In addition, elected delegates had to be approved by the 17th Delegate Status Inspection Committee, and the national Central Committee reserved the right to "select some veteran Party members who have quit their leading posts to attend the upcoming Party congress as specially-invited delegates".
Two prominent delegates are known to have died since the election finished in April 2007, Major-General Wang Shaojun, and former Vice-Premier Huang Ju
Huang Ju
Huang Ju was the Executive Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China. He joined the Communist Party of China in March 1966. He was ranked 6th out of 9, and was one of the least popular and most partisan members of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Party...
.
Elections and Work Reports
Many party positions will be elected, including the following:- The PolitburoPolitburo of the Communist Party of ChinaThe Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China or Political bureau of the CPC Central Committee , formerly as Central Bureau before 1927, is a group of 24 people who oversee the Communist Party of China...
(about two dozen members elected by the Central Committee; expected to change about half its membership), including its Standing CommitteePolitburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of ChinaThe Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China is a committee consisting of the top leadership of the Communist Party of China, whose membership varies between 5 and 9 people. The inner workings of the PSC are not well known, although it is believed that decisions of the PSC are... - The wider Central Committee of the Communist Party of ChinaCentral Committee of the Communist Party of ChinaThe Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is the highest authority within the Communist Party of China. Its approximately 350 members and alternates are selected once every five years by the National Party Congress....
(approximately 350 full and alternative members elected by the whole Congress; about 60% to change) - The General SecretaryGeneral Secretary of the Communist Party of ChinaThe General Secretary of the Communist Party of China , officially General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is the highest ranking official within the Communist Party of China, a standing member of the Politburo and head of the Secretariat...
- Secretariat of the CPC Central CommitteeSecretariat of the Communist Party of China Central CommitteeThe Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee is the permanent bureaucracy of the Communist Party of China and forms a parallel structure to state organizations in the People's Republic of China....
- The Central Military Commission, include the Supreme Military Command
- The Discipline Inspection CommissionDiscipline Inspection Commission of the Communist Party of ChinaThe Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China is the quasi-government body within the People's Republic of China charged with rooting out corruption and malfeasance among Communist Party of China cadres...
Central Committee Election
The election process was supervised by Secretariat Secretary Zeng QinghongZeng Qinghong
Zeng Qinghong was the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China from 2003 to 2008. He became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee during the 2002 16th Party Congress. Although he was formally ranked fifth in the nine PSC...
, although he himself was not part of the new Central Committee. Most of those elected will take up the equivalent state positions after the National People's Congress
National People's Congress
The National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
in 2008, although key positions and existing vacancies on the State Council
State Council of the People's Republic of China
The State Council of the People's Republic of China , which is largely synonymous with the Central People's Government after 1954, is the chief administrative authority of the People's Republic of China. It is chaired by the Premier and includes the heads of each governmental department and agency...
may change before and during the Congress. In the Central Committee elections on 21 October 2007, the margin of dropped off candidates was 8.3%, a three point percentage increase from last year. The increased percentage seems to signify greater "inner Party democracy", and increased power among the delegates. I.e., only 204 out of 221 candidates shortlisted for the Central Committee survived the electoral process. In the new central committee, 107 of the 204 members are new members.
Hu Jintao's Work Report
General Secretary Hu Jintao's keynote report was prepared by Wen JiabaoWen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
. It was delivered to the first session of the Congress on 15 October 2007, and lasted well over two hours, and was broadcast on all major television and radio stations in the country. The event marked the first major live public address by Hu since taking over power in 2002. It laid heavy emphasis on Hu's Scientific Development Perspective as the current guiding ideology in succession to Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Three Represents
Three Represents
The Three Represents is a socio-political ideology credited to General Secretary Jiang Zemin which became a guiding ideology of the Communist Party of China at its Sixteenth Party Congress in 2002....
, with the goal of continuing Socialism with Chinese characteristics and eventual harmonious society.
Western media have generally concentrated on the lack of novelty with Hu's speech, citing that there was no references to political reform during the report. The Communist Party's grip onto power is unlikely to waver for another period of time. Domestically, however, Hu's ideology is a novel addition to the current ideologies of the CPC, adding more of a populist focus, although the political rhetoric in the report was apparent. Hu stressed inner-party democracy, and repeated the word "democracy" 60 times in the speech according to Xinhua. In addition, Hu received applause a total of over 40 times, well over Jiang's record of 16 five years earlier.
During the speech former General secretary Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin is a former Chinese politician, who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1989 to 2002, as President of the People's Republic of China from 1993 to 2003, and as Chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2005...
seemed very tired, was constantly yawning, and was not paying much attention. Jiang seldom talked to Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
, who was sitting to his left. Wen was paying full attention to Hu's speech for its entire length. Hong Kong media noted that Jiang left the Great Hall without shaking anyone's hand, and that no one came up to shake his. Surprisingly, Mao's successor Hua Guofeng
Hua Guofeng
Su Zhu, better known by the nom de guerre Hua Guofeng , was Mao Zedong's designated successor as the Paramount Leader of the Communist Party of China and the People's Republic of China. Upon Zhou Enlai's death in 1976, he succeeded Zhou as the second Premier of the People's Republic of China...
also attended the Congress as a delegate. All the surviving members of the 14th and 15th PSC's were present, including former Premiers Li Peng
Li Peng
Li Peng served as the fourth Premier of the People's Republic of China, between 1987 and 1998, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, from 1998 to 2003. For much of the 1990s Li was ranked second in the Communist Party of China ...
and Zhu Rongji
Zhu Rongji
Zhū Róngjī is a prominent Chinese politician who served as the Mayor and Party chief in Shanghai between 1987 and 1991, before serving as Vice-Premier and then the fifth Premier of the People's Republic of China from March 1998 to March 2003.A tough administrator, his time in office saw the...
, but with the exception of Jiang rival Qiao Shi
Qiao Shi
Qiao Shi is a politician in the People's Republic of China. He was born as Jiang Zhitong , to parents of Dinghai, Zhejiang province ancestry. He is said to be distantly related to Chiang Kai-shek's family and this was the cause for the persecution he suffered during the Cultural Revolution...
.
There were work reports from key party leaders and institutions, providing the Party's analysis of the previous quinquennium and its agenda for the next five years. It is possible that the speech will also answer calls for inner-party democracy, i.e. decentralization within the one-party system.
Press Conference
After the plenary sessions, there was a rare press conference by the Politburo Standing Committee. Newcomer Li Keqiang looked a bit stiff while Xi Jinping looked shy.Issues Before the Congress
- September 2006: Shanghai Party chiefPolitics of ShanghaiThe Politics of Shanghai is structured in a dual party-government system like all other governing institutions in the mainland of the People's Republic of China . In the last few decades the city has produced many of the country's eventual senior leaders...
Chen LiangyuChen LiangyuChen Liangyu was a politician of the People's Republic of China from the ruling Communist Party, and the disgraced CPC Shanghai Committee Secretary, or the city's first-in-charge....
is arrested on corruption charges. This is perceived as an attack on the Shanghai Gang by the Hu-Wen alliance. - 16 October: Xinhua carries an official commentary attacking "cliques" within the Party, perceived as a reference to the Shanghai clique.
- February 2007: Party elder Li Rui and retired academic Xie Tao published articles calling for the CPC to become a European-style socialist party; their remarks were condemned by the Party propaganda apparatus.
- 15 March: Prime Minister Wen JiabaoWen JiabaoWen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
told foreign journalists he supported further political reform. The remarks were initially omitted from the official transcript, allegedly on the orders of hardline propaganda chief Li ChangchunLi ChangchunLi Changchun is the Propaganda chief of the Communist Party of China. He is the 5th ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, China's de facto top power organ, and has been a member since 2002...
. - 28 April: Academic Wan GangWan GangWan Gang is a Chinese expert on automobiles, former president of Tongji University and the Minister of Science and Technology of PRC.-Biography:Wan graduated from Northeast Forestry University...
becomes the first non-CPC minister in half a century, on being appointed Minister of Science and Technology - 25 June: In a major speech at the Central Party SchoolParty School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of ChinaThe Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, also known as the Central Party School, is the highest institution to train new officials for the Communist Party of China. As of October 03, 2007, it has about 1,300 students...
, General Secretary Hu announces the 'Four Steadfasts': an open-minded attitude, reform and opening up, and a moderately well-off (xiaokang) society by 2020. - July: Chen Liangyu is formally convicted and expelled from the Party.
- Mid-August: Top CPC leaders discussed the Congress' decisions at their annual BeidaiheBeidaiheBeidaihe District is a district in Qinhuangdao municipality, Hebei province on the coast of the Bohai Sea in North China. It has an area of 70.14 square kilometers and a population of 66,000. is also known as a birding haven. The Beidaihe Beach Resort stretches 10 km from east to west, from...
retreat. Some Hong Kong sources claim they decided the shortlists for the new Central Committee and Politburo, while others argued that basic PSC positions were still up for grabs. - 19 August: Five national newspapers run identical front pages (shown here), all giving prominence to General secretary Hu.
- 28 August: A Politburo meeting decides dates of the 17th Party Congress, and the final meeting of the 16th Central Committee.
- 30 August: A reshuffle promoted Meng Xuenong, former Mayor of Beijing and tuanpai politician, to Governor of Shanxi, whilst ousting Finance Minister Jin RenqingJin RenqingJin Renqing was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party in the People's Republic of China, serving as deputy chief of the Development Research Center of the State Council and most recently Finance Minister.-Biography:...
, who was allegedly placed in detention. Zhang QingweiZhang QingweiZhang Qingwei is the current chairman of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of the People's Republic of China....
become the PRC's youngest ever minister, becoming Chairman of the Commission on Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defence after a career in the successful space programme. Ma WenMa WenMa Wen is a politician of the People's Republic of China. She is originally from Wuqiao county in Hebei province. She graduated from the history department of Nankai University, specializing in Chinese history. In August 1972, she joined the Communist Party of China...
, deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), added the Ministry of Supervision to her responsibilities. - 6 September: Ma Wen gained a third role as head of a newly-created National Corruption Prevention Bureau. Unlike the CCDI, this does not investigate individual cases and is a government, rather than Party, organ. This led to speculation that the Congress will highlight the Hu-Wen leadership's anti-corruption drive.
- Mid-September: The Ministry of Public SecurityMinistry of Public Security of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Ministry of Public Security , is the principal police and security authority of the mainland of the People's Republic of China and the government agency that exercises oversight over and is ultimately responsible for day-to-day law enforcement...
conducted the largest crackdownInternet censorship in the People's Republic of ChinaInternet censorship in the People's Republic of China is conducted under a wide variety of laws and administrative regulations. There are no specific laws or regulations which the censorship follows...
on Web sites and data hosts in history a month before the event. - 18 September: State media announced that the Politburo had submitted an amendment to the CPC Constitution that would entrench Hu's "Scientific Development ConceptScientific Development ConceptThe scientific development concept, sometimes translated as the scientific development perspective, is the current official guiding socio-economic ideology of the Communist Party of China incorporating sustainable development, social welfare, a humanistic society, increased democracy, and,...
" ideology alongside the theories of Marxism-LeninismMarxism-LeninismMarxism–Leninism is a communist ideology, officially based upon the theories of Marxism and Vladimir Lenin, that promotes the development and creation of a international communist society through the leadership of a vanguard party over a revolutionary socialist state that represents a dictatorship...
, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping TheoryDeng Xiaoping TheoryDeng Xiaoping Theory , also known as Dengism, is the series of political and economic ideologies first developed by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. In theory, it does not reject Marxism or Mao Zedong Thought but instead seeks to adapt them to the existing socio-economic conditions of China.Since the...
and Jiang Zemin's Three RepresentsThree RepresentsThe Three Represents is a socio-political ideology credited to General Secretary Jiang Zemin which became a guiding ideology of the Communist Party of China at its Sixteenth Party Congress in 2002....
. The announcement stressed the role of General secretary Hu and phrases associated with him. - 19 September: Petitioners in Beijing's Fengtai DistrictFengtai DistrictFengtai District is a suburban district of the municipality of Beijing. It lies to the southwest of the urban core of the city.-History:In Qing Dynasty times, Fengtai was where the Imperial Manchu Army had its camps, trained, and held parades on festive occasions.It is 304.2 square kilometers in...
ordered to move from their homes due to construction work for the 17th Party Congress; the work was completed by 26 September. - 19 September: In a move predicted by the Hong Kong press, Ling JihuaLing JihuaLing Jihua is a politician of the People's Republic of China. He currently serves as a secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, and the director of general office of Central Committee of CPC.-Biography:...
, a tuanpai member and Hu ally, replaced Wang GangWang Gang (politician)Wang Gang is a politician of the People's Republic of China and a leader of the Communist Party of China . He was born in Fuyu County, Jilin Province, and graduated from the department of philosophy of Jilin University. He joined the CPC in June 1971...
as director of the Central Committee's General Office. - 21 September: A People's DailyPeople's DailyThe People's Daily is a daily newspaper in the People's Republic of China. The paper is an organ of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China , published worldwide with a circulation of 3 to 4 million. In addition to its main Chinese-language edition, it has editions in English,...
commentary heralded "new good tidings from Shanghai", adding to speculation that Shanghai chief Xi Jinping was headed for promotion, as the Shanghai Party emerged from the Chen Liangyu scandal. - 27 September: U.S.-based Duowei reported that Wu BangguoWu BangguoWu Bangguo is a high-ranking politician in the People's Republic of China. He is currently Chairman and Party secretary of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, a position that makes him China's chief legislator...
had undergone cancer surgery. The same day, he made his first public appearance since 31 August. - 29 September: Wu Bangguo was noticeably not present at the Politburo meeting as broadcasted by Xinwen LianboXinwen LianboXinwen Lianbo is a daily news programme produced by China Central Television . It is shown simultaneously by most terrestrial television channels in mainland China, making it one of the world's most watched television programmes...
, while all other Politburo Standing Committee members were given camera time. Also unconventional was the fact that no Politburo Standing Committee members were named except for Hu Jintao. - 1 October: Hu Jintao visits Shanghai during National DayNational DayThe National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. This nationhood can be symbolized by the date of independence, of becoming republic or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler . Often the day is not called "National Day"...
, a day after all eight PSC members attended a National Day banquet in Beijing. The move is seen as an affirmation of Shanghai and symbolizes unity between Shanghai and the central leadership. Hu is also to open the Special OlympicsSpecial OlympicsSpecial Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
there. - 4 October: Duowei makes their final predictions on the nine members of the new politburo. Namely, in order ranking, they are Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi JinpingXi JinpingXi Jinping is a high ranking politician of the People's Republic of China. He currently serves as the top-ranking member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, the country's Vice President, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the Central Party School and the...
, Li KeqiangLi KeqiangLi Keqiang is the First-ranking Vice-Premier and deputy Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the seventh ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the People's Republic of China's de facto highest decision-making body...
, He GuoqiangHe GuoqiangHe Guoqiang is a high-ranking government official in the government of the People's Republic of China. Currently he is the eighth ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee, and the head of the new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection....
and Zhou YongkangZhou YongkangZhou Yongkang is a senior leader of the Communist Party of China who is currently serving as the 9th ranked member of the powerful Politburo Standing Committee, and the head of the Central Political and Legislative Committee, an organ directing central government legal policy and the legislative...
. - 9 October: The 7th Plenum of the 16th Central Committee meets to finalize the agenda for the Congress. A key decision involving the entrenchment of Hu's Scientific Development Concept and Harmonious SocietyHarmonious societyThe construction of a Harmonious Society is a socio-economic vision that is said to be the ultimate end result of Chinese leader Hu Jintao's signature ideology of the Scientific Development Concept. It serves as the ultimate goal for the ruling Communist Party of China along with Xiaokang society,...
has taken place with discussions from delegates of the 16th Central Committee. - 14 October: Taiwan-based China TimesChina TimesThe China Times is a newspaper published in the Republic of China in Traditional Chinese. It is one of the four biggest newspapers in Taiwan, the other three being the Liberty Times, United Daily News, and Apple Daily ....
announces their final speculative shortlist for the PSC. The list is identical to Duowei's shortlist 10 days earlier.
The Leadership Lineup
Hong Kong, Taiwan, and overseas media often speculate on the make up of the leadership months before the Congress takes place. During the 16th Party Congress, the speculation two months prior to the Congress on the nine members of the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) were entirely accurate.Leaving the Politburo
- Zeng QinghongZeng QinghongZeng Qinghong was the Vice-President of the People's Republic of China from 2003 to 2008. He became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee during the 2002 16th Party Congress. Although he was formally ranked fifth in the nine PSC...
, CPC Secretariat Secretary, Vice-President, ranked 5th in Politburo Standing Committee, is out of the 17th Central Committee, likely due to age. Zeng's departure also signals the solidification of Hu Jintao's power. - Wu GuanzhengWu GuanzhengWu Guanzheng was the head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China, an anti-corruption body from 2002 to 2007.-Career:...
, anti-corruption chief, ranked 7th in PSC, due to age. - Luo GanLuo GanLuo Gan is a former member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and former Political and Legislative Affairs Committee secretary of the People's Republic of China.-Biography:...
, Political and Legislative Affairs Committee Secretary, ranked 9th in the PSC, due to age. - Wu YiWu YiWu Yi was one of four Vice Premiers of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, overseeing the country's economy until March 2008. Known as the "iron lady", Wu is one of the toughest negotiators in China's government.-Biography:...
, Vice-Premier, China's "iron-lady", the only woman in the 16th Politburo, due to age. - Zeng PeiyanZeng PeiyanZeng Peiyan is a Chinese politician. He was a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China from 2002 to 2007 and was a Vice-premier from 2003 to 2008.-Early life and career:...
, Vice-Premier, ranked 3rd, due to age. - Cao GangchuanCao GangchuanCao Gangchuan was vice chairman of Central Military Commission and former Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of China. He was also state councilor and director of the PLA General Armament Department.-Biography:...
, Minister of Defence, due to age.
Politburo Standing Committee
The newly formed Politburo Standing Committee consisted of (in order ranking) Hu JintaoHu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
, Wu Bangguo
Wu Bangguo
Wu Bangguo is a high-ranking politician in the People's Republic of China. He is currently Chairman and Party secretary of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, a position that makes him China's chief legislator...
, Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
, Jia Qinglin
Jia Qinglin
Jia Qinglin is a senior leader of the People's Republic of China. He is the fourth ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Chairman and Party secretary of the National Committee of the People's Political Consultative Conference. Jia's functions as...
, Li Changchun
Li Changchun
Li Changchun is the Propaganda chief of the Communist Party of China. He is the 5th ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, China's de facto top power organ, and has been a member since 2002...
, from the 16th Central Committee, in addition to four newcomers:
- Shanghai party chief Xi JinpingXi JinpingXi Jinping is a high ranking politician of the People's Republic of China. He currently serves as the top-ranking member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, the country's Vice President, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the Central Party School and the...
, 54 - Liaoning party chief Li KeqiangLi KeqiangLi Keqiang is the First-ranking Vice-Premier and deputy Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the seventh ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the People's Republic of China's de facto highest decision-making body...
, 52 - CPC Organization Department head He GuoqiangHe GuoqiangHe Guoqiang is a high-ranking government official in the government of the People's Republic of China. Currently he is the eighth ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee, and the head of the new Central Commission for Discipline Inspection....
, 64 - Minister of Public Security Zhou YongkangZhou YongkangZhou Yongkang is a senior leader of the Communist Party of China who is currently serving as the 9th ranked member of the powerful Politburo Standing Committee, and the head of the Central Political and Legislative Committee, an organ directing central government legal policy and the legislative...
, 65
The Politburo
The Politburo is made of a wider range of cadres whose average age is generally younger than that of the PSC, some of whom slated for promotion at the 18th Party Congress. It has been noted that the Politburo is a power balance between Hu's tuanpai, Jiang's Shanghai clique, and the Crown Prince PartyCrown Prince Party
In modern usage, the Crown Prince Party, or The Princelings, refers to the descendants of prominent and influential senior communist officials in the People's Republic of China. It is not a political party, but an informal, and often derogatory, categorization to signify those benefiting from...
.
In stroke order of surnames
Other Politburo places
- Central Committee bureaucrat Wang GangWang Gang (politician)Wang Gang is a politician of the People's Republic of China and a leader of the Communist Party of China . He was born in Fuyu County, Jilin Province, and graduated from the department of philosophy of Jilin University. He joined the CPC in June 1971...
is expected to become a figurehead on the NPC or CPPCC (and implicitly a Politburo member), although he has an outside chance of a PSC place. - Wang ZhaoguoWang ZhaoguoWang Zhaoguo is a Chinese politician who came to prominence during the era of Deng Xiaoping. At age 41 he had already acquired a ministerial position job.-Biography:...
is Wu Bangguo's deputy at the NPC and Hu's former boss in the CYL. He has recently been considered to have an outside chance of a PSC place, given his age.
Regional Positions
- Minister of Commerce Bo XilaiBo XilaiBo Xilai is the Communist Party of China Chongqing Committee Secretary, first-in-charge of the Western interior municipality and a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China...
, after some reluctance following the Congress, took over as ChongqingChongqingChongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
Party Chief. - Hubei Party chief Yu ZhengshengYu ZhengshengYu Zhengsheng is the current CPC party chief in Shanghai, China, a post which makes him first-in-charge of China's largest city. Formerly the party chief in Hubei, Yu is also concurrently a member of the Politburo, and has been since 2002.- Early life :...
took over Shanghai as the municipality's Communist Party secretary. - Chongqing Party chief Wang YangWang Yang (politician)Wang Yang is the current Secretary of the Guangdong Committee of the Communist Party of China, the southern Chinese province's top office. He served as the party chief of Chongqing, an interior municipality, from 2005-2007...
took over as Guangdong Party chief. - Beijing Mayor Wang QishanWang QishanWang Qishan is a politician in the People's Republic of China who currently serves as the Vice-Premier in charge of economic, energy and financial affairs under premier Wen Jiabao. Previously Wang served in regional positions in Hainan and Beijing...
left his municipal post to become Vice-Premier.
Central Military Commission positions
- Chen BingdeChen BingdeChen Bingde is a general in the People's Liberation Army. He was the Director-General of the General Armaments Department until September 2007. In this position he acted as the head of the space program of China. Currently he is the commanding general of People's Liberation Army General Staff...
may have already replaced Liang GuanglieLiang GuanglieLiang Guanglie is the current Minister for National Defense in the People's Republic of China and serves as a general in the People's Liberation Army of China.-Biography:...
as the PLA's Chief of General Staff.
Ministerial positions
- Early speculation suggested a wide field for Vice-Premier responsible for the economy, namely NDRCNDRCNDRC may refer to:*National Development and Reform Commission, a government body in the People's Republic of China*National Defense Research Committee, a government body in the United States created in 1940 for funding scientific research for national security purposes.*National Digital Research...
chief Ma KaiMa KaiMa Kai is a State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.-Biography:Ma Kai was born in Jinshan, Shanghai in 1946. He received his Master's degree from Renmin University of China in 1982....
, SASAC chief Kelin Ding, PBoCPeople's Bank of ChinaThe People's Bank of China is the central bank of the People's Republic of China with the power to control monetary policy and regulate financial institutions in mainland China...
chief Zhou XiaochuanZhou XiaochuanZhou Xiaochuan is a Chinese economist, banker, reformist and bureaucrat. As governor of the People's Bank of China since December 2002, he has been in charge of the monetary policy of the People's Republic of China....
, MOFCOM chief Bo XilaiBo XilaiBo Xilai is the Communist Party of China Chongqing Committee Secretary, first-in-charge of the Western interior municipality and a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China...
, State CouncilState Council of the People's Republic of ChinaThe State Council of the People's Republic of China , which is largely synonymous with the Central People's Government after 1954, is the chief administrative authority of the People's Republic of China. It is chaired by the Premier and includes the heads of each governmental department and agency...
official Lou Jiwei, Beijing Mayor Wang QishanWang QishanWang Qishan is a politician in the People's Republic of China who currently serves as the Vice-Premier in charge of economic, energy and financial affairs under premier Wen Jiabao. Previously Wang served in regional positions in Hainan and Beijing...
, TianjinTianjin' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
Mayor Dai XianglongDai XianglongDai Xianglong is a politician of the People's Republic of China. He is the former governor of the People's Bank of China, and the former mayor of Tianjin...
, Shanghai MayorPolitics of ShanghaiThe Politics of Shanghai is structured in a dual party-government system like all other governing institutions in the mainland of the People's Republic of China . In the last few decades the city has produced many of the country's eventual senior leaders...
Han ZhengHan ZhengHan Zheng is the current mayor of Shanghai, the 13th to serve in the position since the founding of the People's Republic of China...
and ChongqingChongqingChongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
Party chief Wang YangWang Yang (politician)Wang Yang is the current Secretary of the Guangdong Committee of the Communist Party of China, the southern Chinese province's top office. He served as the party chief of Chongqing, an interior municipality, from 2005-2007...
. - Former Shanxi Governor Yu YoujunYu YoujunYu Youjun is a former politician of the People's Republic of China. Among other positions, he was once the mayor of Shenzhen, governor of Shanxi province, and secretary of the leading party group of the Ministry of Culture...
is tipped for Minister of CultureMinister of cultureA culture minister is a Cabinet position in some governments responsible for protecting the national heritage of a country and promoting cultural expression....
. - State council positions will be confirmed at the 2008 National People's Congress2008 National People's CongressThe 1st Plenary Session of the 11th National People's Congress held its annual meeting from March 5 to March 18, 2008 in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, in conjunction with the 2008 CPPCC....
.