Power Relationships In Xi Jinping's China - Nikkei Asia

The power relationships that govern China

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in his second term atop the Communist Party. It took him only four years as general secretary to acquire the rare status of "core" leader, and he has cemented his control with strategic personnel appointments. The rosters of the new seven-member Politburo Standing Committee and 25-member Politburo make that strategy abundantly clear. (Edited by Nikkei senior staff writer Katsuji Nakazawa)

Choose Party Congress

• 18th
• 19th

Leadership of the world's largest political party

The Chinese Communist Party is the world's largest political party; it had more than 89.4 million members at the end of 2016. The membership is larger than the population of Germany. A key organ within the party is the Central Committee, which has more than 200 members. Under them are some 170 alternate members. Important decisions are made during Politburo meetings as well as at Politburo Standing Committee meetings convened by the general secretary. Currently, the Politburo Standing Committee, the party's supreme leadership circle, has seven members. These seven are also among the 25 Politburo members. Politburo members hold the title of vice premier.

The leaders

The powerful 'China Seven': The pinnacle of an 89 million-member party

The Chinese Communist Party is the world's largest political party; it had more than 89.4 million members at the end of 2016. The membership is larger than the population of Germany. A key organ within the party is the Central Committee, which has more than 200 members. Under them are some 170 alternate members. Important decisions are made during Politburo meetings as well as at Politburo Standing Committee meetings convened by the general secretary. Currently, the Politburo Standing Committee, the party's supreme leadership circle, has seven members. These seven are also among the 25 Politburo members. Politburo members hold power equivalent to vice premier.

The leaders

-- General secretary Politburo Standing Committee members Politburo members Reuters: Guo Shengkun, Chen Quanguo, Huang KunmingKyodo: Yang Xiaodu, Chen Xi

Principal roles

Original domicile

Date of birth

the Xi faction

The numbers represent rank.

-- General secretary Politburo Standing Committee members Politburo members Reuters: Guo Shengkun, Chen QuanguoKyodo: Yang Xiaodu