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China GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Party and Government: A unitary and "socialist state of
the dictatorship of the proletariat," based on Marxism-Leninism-Mao
Zedong Thought, led by 46-million-member Chinese Communist Party
(CCP). Political processes guided by party Constitution and state
Constitution, both promulgated in 1982; constitutions stress
principle of
democratic centralism (see Glossary),
under which
representative organs of both party and state are elected by lower
bodies and they in turn elect their administrative arms at
corresponding levels. Within representative and executive bodies
minority must abide by decisions of majority; lower bodies obey
orders of higher level organs. In theory, National Party Congress
highest organ of power of party, but real power lies in Political
Bureau of CCP Central Committee and, still more, in select Standing
Committee of Political Bureau. National People's Congress highest
government organ of state power; approves CCP policies and
programs. Reforms implemented in early 1980s allowed more serious
review and deliberations concerning government programs in National
People's Congress. State Council serves as equivalent of cabinet;
key members also hold positions in important party organs.
Administrative Divisions: Divided into three tiers. In
1987 twenty-nine provincial-level units comprise twenty-one
provinces, five autonomous regions, and three centrally governed
special municipalities; middle tier consists of autonomous
prefectures, counties, autonomous counties, cities, and municipal
districts; and basic level comprises townships, and villages.
Justice:Four-level court system. Supreme People's Court
in Beijing; higher people's courts in provinces, autonomous regions
and special municipalities; intermediate people's courts at
prefecture level and also in parts of provinces, autonomous
regions, and special municipalities; basic people's courts in
counties, towns, and municipal districts. Special courts handle
matters affecting military, railroad transportation, water
transportation, and forestry. Court system paralleled by hierarchy
of prosecuting organs called people's procuratorates; at apex
stands Supreme People's Procuratorate.
Foreign Affairs: As of late 1980s, China pursued
independent foreign policy and sought friendly relations and trade
with many countries despite political differences. China regards
itself as developing country and member of Third World. China,
however, has close cooperative relations, including economic,
technological, political, and limited military cooperation, with
United States, Japan, and other industrially developed nations.
Earlier strains in Chinese relations with Soviet Union, long
considered by Beijing as main threat of war, somewhat ameliorated
by late 1980s but still fell short of full normalization.
Data as of July 1987
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