The President of the People's Republic of China is the ceremonial head of state of the People's Republic of China. While the position has significant ceremonial duties, the real power in the Chinese political system lies with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, the Premier of the People's Republic of China, and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Role and Powers
- The president's role is largely ceremonial but includes the following duties:
- Receiving foreign dignitaries
- Issuing credentials to ambassadors and signing some international treaties
- Granting special pardons
- Declaring a state of emergency
- Under the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the president acts in accordance with the decisions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and its Standing Committee.
History
- The position was established in 1954 with Mao Zedong as the first president. Mao, however, did not take the role seriously, focusing instead on his other roles within the Communist Party.
- After Mao's death, the position was abolished in 1968 during the Cultural Revolution but was reinstated in 1982 with the adoption of a new constitution.
- Since its reinstatement, the presidency has often been held by the General Secretary of the Communist Party, except for a brief period from 1988 to 1993 when Yang Shangkun served as president.
- Notable presidents include:
Election and Term
- The president is elected by the National People's Congress (NPC).
- Originally set for a term of five years, renewable once, the term limits were abolished in 2018, allowing Xi Jinping to potentially remain in office indefinitely.
Recent Developments
- In 2018, the NPC removed the two-term limit for the presidency, which has sparked discussions on the concentration of power and the potential for lifelong rule by Xi Jinping.
References
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