Lecture 6Lecture 6Role of Political Role of Political

Institutions, CCP, State Institutions, CCP, State institutions and the PLAinstitutions and the PLA

OverviewOverview

1.1. Role of Political InstitutionsRole of Political Institutions

2.2. The Communist Party of China The Communist Party of China

3.3. State InstitutionsState Institutions

4.4. The People’s Liberation Army The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)(PLA)

1. Role of Political Institutions1. Role of Political Institutions

Three very important components of Three very important components of governing China governing China

– The Communist Party of China (CCP) a.k.a The Communist Party of China (CCP) a.k.a Chinese Communist PartyChinese Communist Party

– The Central People’s Government The Central People’s Government

– People’s Liberation ArmyPeople’s Liberation Army

People’s Republic of China (PRC) People’s Republic of China (PRC) is an Oligarchyis an Oligarchy

– What is an Oligarchy? What is an Oligarchy?

Oligarchy (Greek Ὀλιγαρχία, Oligarkhía) is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small, elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military prowess).

PRC’s GovernancePRC’s Governance

– Central government’s attempts to rule Central government’s attempts to rule from Beijing increasingly difficult.from Beijing increasingly difficult.

– Government must build consensus to rule Government must build consensus to rule from Beijingfrom Beijing

– Maoist period control was through ‘brute Maoist period control was through ‘brute force’force’

– Attempts to control in the form of Attempts to control in the form of information control, propaganda information control, propaganda censorship etc. But more targeted. E.g. censorship etc. But more targeted. E.g. Falungong Falungong

2. The Communist Party of China 2. The Communist Party of China (CCP)(CCP)

Firm control over the legislature Firm control over the legislature and executive state apparatus and executive state apparatus

– LEGISLATURE: lawLEGISLATURE: law

– EXECUTIVE: In political science and EXECUTIVE: In political science and constitutional law, the executive is constitutional law, the executive is the branch of government the branch of government responsible for the day-to-day responsible for the day-to-day management of the state.management of the state.

– CCP defines the state’s moral and CCP defines the state’s moral and ethnical values through ideology, ethnical values through ideology, propaganda etc.propaganda etc.

– Control extends into county and Control extends into county and village levelvillage level

Background of CCPBackground of CCP

– Over 70 Million MembersOver 70 Million Members

– Founded in 1921Founded in 1921

– Most important position is the General Most important position is the General SecretarySecretary

– Top leadershipTop leadership Mao Zedong (1949-76)Mao Zedong (1949-76) Deng Xiaoping (1978-1992)Deng Xiaoping (1978-1992) JIang Zemin (1989-2004)JIang Zemin (1989-2004) Hu Jintao (2002-?)Hu Jintao (2002-?)

The Organizational Structure of The Organizational Structure of CCP CenterCCP Center

CCPNational Congress

Central Committee

Central Discipline Inspection Committee

Central Military Committee

General Secretary: Hu Jintao

Standing Committee of Politburo

Politburo Central Secretariat

Members: Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, Luo Gan

Members: Wang Lequan, Wang Zhaoguo, Hui Liangyu, Liu Qi,Liu Yunshan, Li Changchu, Wu Yi, Wu Bangguo, Wu Guangzheng, Zhang Lichang, Zhang Dejiang,Chen Liangyu, Luo Gan, Zhou Yongkang, Hu Jintao,, Yu Zhensheng, He Guoqiang, Jia Qinglin, Guo Boxiong,Huang Ju, Cao Gangchuan, Zeng Qinghong, Zeng Peiyan, Wen Jiabao,

Secretaries:Zeng QinghongLiu YunshanZhou YongkangHe GuoqiangWang GangXu CaihouHe Yong

Chairman: Hu JintaoVice-Chairmen: Guo Boxiong, Cao Gangchuan, Xu Caihou

Secretary: Wu Guanzheng

The National Party CongressThe National Party Congress （中国共产党全国代表大会）（中国共产党全国代表大会）– 1,500 delegates meet once every 5 years1,500 delegates meet once every 5 years– Solidifies the central political tasks for the partySolidifies the central political tasks for the party– Provide the occasion for appointments to top party Provide the occasion for appointments to top party

posts and to the Central Committeeposts and to the Central Committee

The Central CommitteeThe Central Committee （中国共产党中央委员会）（中国共产党中央委员会）– Several hundred members convene once or twice a Several hundred members convene once or twice a

yearyear– All members hold other substantive positions and All members hold other substantive positions and

receive privilegesreceive privileges– Central Committee meetings (plenum) discuss and Central Committee meetings (plenum) discuss and

announce policiesannounce policies

The Politburo The Politburo （中国共产党中央委员会政治局）（中国共产党中央委员会政治局）– The command headquarters of the partyThe command headquarters of the party– Typically 14-25 members who form the top power Typically 14-25 members who form the top power

eliteelite

The Standing Committee of PolitburoThe Standing Committee of Politburo （政治局常务委员会）（政治局常务委员会）– 4-9 members meet weekly4-9 members meet weekly

Central Secretariat Central Secretariat （中央书记处）（中央书记处）– Staff support for the Politburo and the Staff support for the Politburo and the

Central CommitteeCentral Committee

Central Military CommitteeCentral Military Committee

（中共中央军事委员会）（中共中央军事委员会）– In charge of People’s Liberation ArmyIn charge of People’s Liberation Army

Central Discipline Inspection Central Discipline Inspection CommitteeCommittee– Rooting out corruptionRooting out corruption

The Apex of Power: The The Apex of Power: The Politburo Standing CommitteePolitburo Standing Committee

Head

of

Ch

ina

NP

C

Sta

te

Cou

ncil

Non

-Com

mu

nis

t P

artie

s

CC

P

Org

an

izatio

n

Econ

om

y &

Fin

an

ce

Party

D

iscip

line

Ideolo

gy

Jud

icia

ry a

nd

S

ecu

rity

Hu Jintao Wu Bangguo Wen Jiabao Jia Qinglin Zeng Qinghong Huang Ju Wu Guanzheng Li Changchun Luo Gan

The Interlocking Structure between The Interlocking Structure between the Party and the Governmentthe Party and the Government

Head of StatePresident

Vice-presidentParty Structure Government Structure

General SecretaryPolitburo Standing Committee

Politburo

ExecutivesPremier

State Council Standing CommitteeState Council

Central Military Commission

AdministrationSecretariat

Central Committee Departments:• Organization (personnel appointment)• Propaganda (media, education, and political study)• United Front (non-communist parties)•International Liaison (foreign affairs)

State Council General OfficeMinistries and Commissions

• Foreign Affairs• National Defense• State Development and Reform Commission• etc.

Rule AdjudicationSupreme People’s Court Supreme People’s ProcuratorateCentral Discipline Inspection Committee

Assemblies

Central CommitteeNational Party Congress

NPC Standing CommitteeNational People’s Congress

Nomenklatura system of appointment in Nomenklatura system of appointment in governmentgovernment

Notion of the Four Cardinal Principles in Notion of the Four Cardinal Principles in the partythe party

1.1. We must keep to the socialist road We must keep to the socialist road 2.2. We must uphold the dictatorship of the We must uphold the dictatorship of the

proletariat proletariat 3.3. We must uphold the leadership of the We must uphold the leadership of the

Communist Party Communist Party 4.4. We must uphold Marxism-Leninism-Mao We must uphold Marxism-Leninism-Mao

Zedong ThoughtZedong Thought

Use of economic stability to justify this Use of economic stability to justify this authoritarian system and the four cardinal authoritarian system and the four cardinal principles rather than ideologyprinciples rather than ideology

How does the CCP maintain such How does the CCP maintain such far reaching control?far reaching control?

CCP LOCAL ORGANISATIONSCCP LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

CCP GRASSROOTS ORGANISATIONSCCP GRASSROOTS ORGANISATIONS

CCP CENTRAL DEPARTMENTSCCP CENTRAL DEPARTMENTS

CCP Central DepartmentsCCP Central Departments

– Organisation DepartmentOrganisation Department– Propaganda DepartmentPropaganda Department– United Front Department (Deals United Front Department (Deals

with Taiwan)with Taiwan)– International Liaison Department International Liaison Department

(Coordinating with other (Coordinating with other Communist Parties Worldwide)Communist Parties Worldwide)

CCP Local OrganizationsCCP Local Organizations

– Provincial Party CommitteeProvincial Party Committee– Municipal Party CommitteeMunicipal Party Committee– County Party CommitteeCounty Party Committee

CCP Grassroots OrganizationCCP Grassroots Organization

– Township Party CommitteeTownship Party Committee– Village Party General BranchesVillage Party General Branches– Party Branches in factories, Party Branches in factories,

schools, shops, offices.schools, shops, offices.

3. The State Institutions 3. The State Institutions National People’s Congress (NPC) (National People’s Congress (NPC) ( 全全国人民代表大会国人民代表大会 ))

– The legislature serves 4-year term and The legislature serves 4-year term and convenes once a yearconvenes once a year

– The Standing Committee of NPC meets more The Standing Committee of NPC meets more frequentlyfrequently

The State Council (The State Council ( 国务院国务院 ))– The Cabinet in China’s governing systemThe Cabinet in China’s governing system– Consists of subordinate commissions and Consists of subordinate commissions and

ministriesministries– The State Council membership consists of the The State Council membership consists of the

Premier, Vice Premier, State Councilors Premier, Vice Premier, State Councilors (equivalent in rank to vice premier), and all (equivalent in rank to vice premier), and all heads of commissions and ministriesheads of commissions and ministries

– Commissions and ministries head their own Commissions and ministries head their own nationwide vertical bureaucratic hierarchiesnationwide vertical bureaucratic hierarchies

The Presidency The Presidency The Judiciary SystemThe Judiciary System

The Organizational Structure of The Organizational Structure of Political SystemPolitical System

National People’s Congress (NPC) 全国人民代表大会

Standing Committee of NPC全国人民代表大会常务委员会

President国家主席

State Council国务院

Central Military

Commission

中央军事委员会

SupremePeople’s

Court最高人民法院

SupremePeople’s

Procuratorate最高人民检察院

Main state organs

The Organizational Structure of the State CouncilPremier: Wen Jiabao

Executive Vice Premier: Huang JuVice Premiers: Wu Yi, Zeng Peiyan, Hui Liangyu

State Countilors: Zhou Yongkang, Cao Gangchuan, Tang Jiaxuan, Hua Jianmin, Chen Zhili

Secretary General: Hua Jianmin

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of National DefenseLi Zhaoxing Cao Gangchuan

Ministry of Education National Development and Reform CommissionZhou Ji Ma Kai

Ministry of Science and Technology State Ethnic Affairs Commission Xu Guanhua Li Dek Su

Ministry of Public Security Ministry of State Security Zhou Yongkang Xu Yongyue

Ministry of Supervision Ministry of Civil AffairsLi Zhilun Li Xueju

Ministry of Justice Ministry of FinanceZhang Fusheng Jin Renqing

Ministry of Personnel Ministry of Labor and Social Security Zhang Bolin Zheng Silin

Ministry of Land and Resources Ministry of Construction Sun Wensheng Wang Guangtao

Ministry of Transportation Ministry of RailwayZhang Chunxian Liu Zhijun

Ministry of Information Industry Ministry of Water Resources Wang Xudong Wang Shucheng

Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of CommerceDu Qinglin Bo Xilai

Ministry of Culture Ministry of Public HealthSun Jiazheng Wu Yi

People’s Bank of China National Audit Office Zhou Xiaochuan Li Jinhua

National Population and Family Commission of Science, Technology andPlanning Commission Industry for National Defense Zhang Weiqing Zhang Yunchuan

Ministries & Commissions (28)

Agencies Directly Under State Council (18)

General Administration of Customs Mou Xinsheng

State Administration of Taxation Xie Xuren

State Administration for Industry and Commerce Wang Zhongfu

Administration of Quality Supervision and Quarantine Li Changjiang

State Administration of Environmental Protection Xie Zhenhua

General Administration of Civil Aviation of China Yang Yuanyuan

State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television Wang Taihua

General Administration of Press and Publication Shi Zongyuan

General Administration of Sports Liu Peng

National Bureau of StatisticsLi Deshui

State Forestry Administration Zhou Shengxian

State Food and Drug Administration Zheng Xiaoyu

State Administration of Work Safety Wang Xianzheng

State Intellectual Property Office Wang Jingchuan

National Tourism Administration He Guangwei

State Administration of Religious Affairs Ye Xiaowen

Counselors’ Office of the State Council Cui Zhanfu

General Administration Office Jiao Huancheng

Offices (6) Institutions (14)

Overseas Chinese Affairs Chen Yujie

Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Liao Hui

Legislative Affairs Cao Kangtai

Research Office Wei Liqun

Taiwan Affairs Chen Yunlin

Information Office Zhao Qizheng

Xinhua News AgencyTian Congming

Chinese Academy of SciencesLu Yongxiang

Chinese Academy of Social SciencesChen Kuiyuan

Chinese Academy of EngineeringXu Kuangdi

Development Research CenterWang Mengkui

National School of AdministrationHua Jianmin

China Seismological BureauChen Jianmin

China Meteorological AdministrationQin Dahe

China Banking Regulatory CommissionLiu Mingkang

China Securities Regulatory CommissionShang Fulin

China Insurance Regulatory CommissionWu Ding Fu

State Electricity Regulatory CommissionChai Songyue

National Council of Social Security FundXiang Huaicheng

National Natural Science FoundationChen Yiyu

Special Agency Directly Under State Council (1)

State Owned Assets Supervision & Administration CommissionLi Rongrong

Source: Zhang, Zhibin

Leadership of State CouncilLeadership of State CouncilPremier

Vice-Premier

State Councilors

Wen Jiabao温家宝

Huang Ju黄菊

Wu Yi吴仪

Zeng Peiyan曾培炎

Hui Liangyu回良玉

Zhou Youkang周有康

Cao Gangchuan曹刚川

Tang Jiaxuan唐家璇

Hua Jianmin华建敏

Chen Zhili陈至立

Part II: Center

The Local Governance Structure The Local Governance Structure

The Hierarchical Structure of The Hierarchical Structure of Chinese GovernmentChinese Government

Central GovernmentState Council

Provinces (22)Municipalities (4) Autonomous Regions (5)

SpecialAdministrative

Regions (2)

Hong KongMacao

Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong,Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Shannxi, Ganxu, Qinghai, Sichuang, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hainan

Beijing, TianjinShanghai, Chongqing

Inter Mongolia, Xinjiang Uygur, Tibet, Ningxia Guangxi

Prefectures (332)

(Cities)

Counties (2860)

Townships (44850)

Villages

Districts (830)

Districts Counties

Sources: Zhang, Zhibin

The Provinces The Provinces

The enormous differentiation The enormous differentiation between provincesbetween provinces– Size, wealth, topography, dialect, culture, Size, wealth, topography, dialect, culture,

economic structureeconomic structure

The importance of provinces in The importance of provinces in China’s governing systemChina’s governing system– The hierarchical rank of provincesThe hierarchical rank of provinces

No binding orders to any othersNo binding orders to any others

– The crucial actors in Chinese governing systemThe crucial actors in Chinese governing system Provincial cooperation in “central” construction Provincial cooperation in “central” construction

projects and enterprisesprojects and enterprises The size of provinces requires autonomous authority The size of provinces requires autonomous authority

for provincesfor provinces– Provinces control the appointments of all but highest Provinces control the appointments of all but highest

provincial officialsprovincial officials The leverages of the Center over activities of the The leverages of the Center over activities of the

provinces are erodedprovinces are eroded Reform has shifted power away from Beijing to Reform has shifted power away from Beijing to

provincesprovinces

The Local Governing BodiesThe Local Governing Bodies

CitiesCities– At any hierarchical rankAt any hierarchical rank– Function as economic centersFunction as economic centers– Full array of party and government organs Full array of party and government organs

which replicate those in provinces and the which replicate those in provinces and the centercenter

CountiesCounties– The major implementers of policiesThe major implementers of policies– Replicate provinces and the center in full array Replicate provinces and the center in full array

of party and government organs of party and government organs

TownshipsTownships– Peasants administrationPeasants administration– Localities for non-farm enterprisesLocalities for non-farm enterprises– No full array of party and government No full array of party and government

organsorgans– Direct election at the village level since Direct election at the village level since

late 1980slate 1980s

The nationwide The nationwide bureaucratic system of bureaucratic system of

PRCPRC

Described as… The Matrix Described as… The Matrix MuddleMuddle: : Tiao/Kuai GuanxiTiao/Kuai Guanxi

The Matrix MuddleThe Matrix Muddle: : Tiao/Kuai Tiao/Kuai GuanxiGuanxi

The matrixThe matrix– Nationwide bureaucratic system meshes both Nationwide bureaucratic system meshes both

vertical (coordination from center to locality) vertical (coordination from center to locality) and horizontal (coordination within a given and horizontal (coordination within a given geographic area) governing bodiesgeographic area) governing bodies

– The dominance of the CCP furthers complexity The dominance of the CCP furthers complexity of the bureaucratic webof the bureaucratic web

– TiaoTiao and and KuaiKuai The The Tiao Tiao (( 条条 ) (lines)) (lines) – the vertical bureaucracies– the vertical bureaucracies The The Kuai Kuai (( 块块 ) (pieces) – the horizontal bureaucracies) (pieces) – the horizontal bureaucracies

Part II: Matrix

TiaoTiao / / Kuai GuanxiKuai Guanxi ( (条块关系条块关系 ))– The relationship between vertical and The relationship between vertical and

horizontal bodieshorizontal bodies– Lingdao GuanxiLingdao Guanxi ( (领导关系领导关系 ) (leadership ) (leadership

relationship) – the one with priorityrelationship) – the one with priority– Yewu GuanxiYewu Guanxi ( (业务关系业务关系 ) (professional ) (professional

relationship) – the one without binding relationship) – the one without binding forcesforces

Line of Authority in the Hierarchical Line of Authority in the Hierarchical MatrixMatrix

Guangdong Provincial

Energy Department

Guangdong Provincial Government

Zhongshan CountyCCP Committee

CCP County OrganizationDepartment

Zhongshan County Government

Zhongshan County Energy Department

Provincial Level

County Level

To simply put it, the Matrix Muddle To simply put it, the Matrix Muddle system demonstrates that…system demonstrates that…

Officials in various bureaucracies have a Officials in various bureaucracies have a number of different bosses.number of different bosses.

Can be described as “Fragmented Can be described as “Fragmented Authoritarianism”Authoritarianism”

System can bog down the bureaucracySystem can bog down the bureaucracy

Officials lack jurisdiction over one anotherOfficials lack jurisdiction over one another

The Xitong (System)The Xitong (System) Functional bureaucracies – various Functional bureaucracies – various

systems working around a group of systems working around a group of leaders to coordinate specific leaders to coordinate specific functionsfunctions

Xitong (System) refers to a group of Xitong (System) refers to a group of functional bureaucracies functional bureaucracies

Xitong

Functional bureaucracies

Xitongs needed to coordinate polices Xitongs needed to coordinate polices and monitor implementation of these and monitor implementation of these policies. policies.

Links elites to functional areas within Links elites to functional areas within the party and state. Known as the party and state. Known as ‘gateways’ or ‘gateways’ or koukou

Party Affairs Party Affairs Xitong (Xitong ( 党务系统党务系统 )) The Composition The Composition

– Headed by the general secretary of CCPHeaded by the general secretary of CCP– Consists of the first secretaries of every territorial party Consists of the first secretaries of every territorial party

committeecommittee 2400 counties; 660 municipals; 44867 townships2400 counties; 660 municipals; 44867 townships

FunctionsFunctions– The key personnel that make the Chinese system “work” on The key personnel that make the Chinese system “work” on

a territorial basisa territorial basis– Oversee implementation of political priorities sent down Oversee implementation of political priorities sent down

from abovefrom above– Play important role in all leadership appointments within Play important role in all leadership appointments within

their territories, shape major decisions, adjudicate disputes, their territories, shape major decisions, adjudicate disputes, coordinate efforts, and lobby higher levels coordinate efforts, and lobby higher levels

Centralized OperationCentralized Operation– Vertical relationship within Party Affairs Vertical relationship within Party Affairs XitongXitong is is

characterized with binding characterized with binding leadershipleadership relationship relationship – Each territorial party committee is directly subordinate to Each territorial party committee is directly subordinate to

the one on the next higher levelthe one on the next higher level

Propaganda and Education Propaganda and Education Xitong (Xitong ( 宣宣教系统教系统 ))

CompositionComposition– Propaganda and education bureaucraciesPropaganda and education bureaucracies– Media, all schools and colleges, research institutes, Media, all schools and colleges, research institutes,

cultural unitscultural units FunctionsFunctions

– To shape the values and perspectives of the entire To shape the values and perspectives of the entire populationpopulation

– Mass political campaignsMass political campaigns The attenuated role of Propaganda and Education The attenuated role of Propaganda and Education XitongXitong

– The economic reformThe economic reform– The eroded orthodox ideologyThe eroded orthodox ideology– The confusion in value systemThe confusion in value system

The rampant materialism The rampant materialism

Other Other XitongXitongss Finance and Economics Finance and Economics XitongXitong ( (财经系统财经系统 ))

– To make the urban economy growTo make the urban economy grow– Became more importance during the reform eraBecame more importance during the reform era

Less interference from political and propaganda systemLess interference from political and propaganda system More resourcesMore resources

Military Military XitongXitong ( (军事系统军事系统 ))– The leadership of the Chinese militaryThe leadership of the Chinese military– A state within the stateA state within the state– The CCP Central Military CommissionThe CCP Central Military Commission

General Staff DepartmentGeneral Staff Department General Political DepartmentGeneral Political Department General Logistics DepartmentGeneral Logistics Department General Equipment DepartmentGeneral Equipment Department

SO much for now…SO much for now…

Next we need to look at the People’s Next we need to look at the People’s Liberation Army as a political Liberation Army as a political institutioninstitution

4. 4. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

Origins of PLA

1927 – Chinese Red Army

June 1946 – Renamed PLA

PLA Under Mao

““Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun”

“The party must control the gun, the gun must never control the party”

Mao

PLA critical for CCP’s maintenance of power– Enforced party policies– Enforced land reforms– Seized factories etc.

Fundamentally, the CCP and PLA must be distinct and the PLA MUST be insubordinate to the party

CCP control through INTERLOCKING structure of the CCP and PLA

Wide Field of Operation PLA not just a standing army

Adopted many roles

Very wide field of operation since Mao’s rule– Instrument to achieve political goals (interlocking

structure between CCP and PLA)– Economic function– As a model for society (people’s struggles are ‘battles’)– Civilian and military leaders have little differences (Mao

and Deng both former military leaders)

Deng Xiaoping’s model of the PLADeng Xiaoping’s model of the PLA

Attempts to “professionalise” the PLA

– Attempts to transfer control of PLA to the state and away from CCP

– Establishment of Central Military Commission (CMC) in 1982

– CCP still controlling PLA due to INTERLOCKING structure between CMC and the CCP’s own CMC

The Organizational Structure of The Organizational Structure of CCP CenterCCP Center

CCPNational Congress

Central Committee

Central Discipline Inspection Committee

Central Military Committee

General Secretary: Hu Jintao

Standing Committee of Politburo

Politburo Central Secretariat

Members: Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zeng Qinghong, Huang Ju, Wu Guanzheng, Li Changchun, Luo Gan

Members: Wang Lequan, Wang Zhaoguo, Hui Liangyu, Liu Qi,Liu Yunshan, Li Changchu, Wu Yi, Wu Bangguo, Wu Guangzheng, Zhang Lichang, Zhang Dejiang,Chen Liangyu, Luo Gan, Zhou Yongkang, Hu Jintao,, Yu Zhensheng, He Guoqiang, Jia Qinglin, Guo Boxiong,Huang Ju, Cao Gangchuan, Zeng Qinghong, Zeng Peiyan, Wen Jiabao,

Secretaries:Zeng QinghongLiu YunshanZhou YongkangHe GuoqiangWang GangXu CaihouHe Yong

Chairman: Hu JintaoVice-Chairmen: Guo Boxiong, Cao Gangchuan, Xu Caihou

Secretary: Wu Guanzheng

The Organizational Structure of Political System

National People’s Congress (NPC) 全国人民代表大会

Standing Committee of NPC全国人民代表大会常务委员会

President国家主席

State Council国务院

Central Military

Commission

中央军事委员会

SupremePeople’s

Court最高人民法院

SupremePeople’s

Procuratorate最高人民检察院

Attempts to modernize army (one of the 4 modernizations)

– Attention to Training and advance weaponry– Trim down the army by 1 million– Stringent education of soldiers– Reassertion of party and government control

over PLA by decreasing military members in the government

Problems of PLA during Deng’s era

Economic development is top priority

– Military modernization ranks fourth in his 4 modernization – budgets to PLA cut

– Difficult to employ younger soldiers

– Many soldiers wanted to leave PLA to seek better opportunities elsewhere

Tiananmen Incident 1989

– Tarnished image of PLA

– Revival of “Learn from Lei Feng” campaigns

– PLA reiterated impossibility of separating army from politics

After 1989

– Pressure increased on PLA due to Gulf War sophistication

Military Under Jiang and Hu PLA remains an important element of state

power

Relationship between PLA and these two leaders have changed

– Automatic support for Mao and Deng

– Now its conditional support (ability to provide PLA with support and stability in society)

Jiang’s control over the military

– Created new positions– Publicized visits to military – Increased military budget– Cooperated with Russia and Israel for

weapons– Information War and Assymetric Warfare

Overall Role of Military in China’s Overall Role of Military in China’s politics in the reform erapolitics in the reform era

PLA not a professional army since 1949… PLA not a professional army since 1949… a political armya political army

Commercialisation of PLA in the reform eraCommercialisation of PLA in the reform era

– Involvement of PLA in business to diversify Involvement of PLA in business to diversify revenue for PLArevenue for PLA

– 1998 withdrawal from businesses with Jiang’s 1998 withdrawal from businesses with Jiang’s promise of increased budgetpromise of increased budget

– Increasingly moving towards professionalismIncreasingly moving towards professionalism

Military system of PRCMilitary system of PRC

Ministry of Defense

CMC Party

CMC State

PLA

General Equipment

General Staff

General Politics

General Logistics

Air ForceSecond Artillery Navy

People’s Armed Police

SERVICE ARMS

Military RegionsMilitary Regions

Chengdu

Beijing

Guangzhou Jinan

LanzhouNanjing Shenyang

DistrictsBeijing, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia,

Hebei ShanxiDistricts

Guizhou SichuanChongqing,

Tibet

DistrictsGuangdong,

Guangxi,Hubei, Hunan,

Hainan

DistrictsHenan

Shangdong

DistrictsGansu, Ningxia

Qinghai, ShaanxiXinjiang

DistrictsAnhui, Fujian,

Jiangsu, Jiangxi,ZhejiangShanghai

DistrictsHeilongjiang

JilinLiaoning

Each military region has a specific purpose

Shenyang military region is meant as defense against Russia

Chengdu against India

Nanjiang against Taiwan