Introduction:
This blog focuses on China, since it is both the most populous country and an authoritarian state that has lasted by relying on a strong economy, political dominance, and the ability to change its institutions.
Russia abandoned communism and turned more authoritarian, but China still governs under single-party rule from the year 1949. Even so, its economic situation has changed greatly, allowing it to become a powerful country with greater presence on the world stage.
It is important to observe:
- How China is controlled by the Communist Party
- How its government works without holding elections
- How the nation manages to advance development while fully controlling politics
Historical and Political Context
a. 1949–1976: Mao Zedong Era
- The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took power in 1949 after a civil war against the Nationalists (Kuomintang).
- Mao Zedong, who led the country, established a state following Marxist-Leninist beliefs and used revolutionary ideas and large-scale mobilization for planning.
Major campaigns:
- The Great Leap Forward (1958–62): Attempted industrialization that led to economic disaster and famine.
- The Cultural Revolution (1966–76): Campaign to purge capitalist elements; led to widespread chaos and suppression of intellectuals.
b. 1978–Present: Reform and Opening Up
- After Mao’s death, Deng Xiaoping began reforms that focused on the market but didn’t weaken the communist government.
- Rapid economic growth was achieved using:
- Special economic zones
- Foreign investment
- State-capitalist models
The single-party control remained unchanged, though the economy was partly liberalized.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP): The Core of Power
Ruling in China is shared between the government and the Communist Party of China. The CCP dominates every branch of authority.
a. Party Structure
- Approximately 96 million people are in the CCP, making it deeply influential in both society and government.
Key Bodies:
- Politburo: About 25 members who oversee broad policy.
- Politburo Standing Committee (PSC): 7 top leaders, including the General Secretary.
- Central Committee: Around 200 members who approve major decisions.
- National Party Congress: Occurs every 5 years to endorse new leaders.
b. General Secretary
- The top position in the party is also the most powerful post in China.
- Xi Jinping is currently the:
- General Secretary
- President
- Chairman of the Central Military Commission
- Xi has removed the two-term limit, consolidating power unseen since Mao.
c. CCP in Governance
The Party controls:
- Military (People’s Liberation Army)
- Media and internet
- Judiciary
- Civil society
- Education
Party members are embedded in companies, universities, and public bodies to promote the same ideology.
Structure of the Chinese State
According to the constitution, China is a socialist nation managed by the Communist Party. The government exists, but party leaders are ultimately in control.
a. President of the PRC
- The role is mostly ceremonial, but Xi Jinping has made it powerful through his position as Party General Secretary.
b. Premier
- The head of government who manages the State Council, overseeing all ministries and daily affairs.
- The Premier (currently Li Qiang) focuses on economic policy and domestic management, but reports to the party.
c. National People’s Congress (NPC)
- China’s unicameral legislature with nearly 3,000 members.
- Meets once a year in Beijing.
Powers include:
- Passing laws
- Approving the budget
- Formally electing state leaders
However, it largely serves to endorse party decisions already made.
Centralization of Power and Elimination of Term Limits
- In 2018, a constitutional change allowed Xi Jinping to serve indefinitely as president.
- This reversed post-Mao reforms which encouraged leadership turnover to prevent dictatorship.
Xi’s leadership is characterized by:
- Return to ideological discipline
- Strong emphasis on national security and social control
- Crackdowns on dissent, corruption, and foreign influence
Policy-Making and Governance Tools
a. Five-Year Plans
- These are government-drafted guideline documents that set economic, social, and political goals.
- Show that while market reforms exist, the government still controls production.
b. Campaign-Style Governance
- The CCP often uses campaigns to enforce its key objectives.
Examples include:
- Anti-corruption drives
- “Common prosperity” agenda
- Zero-COVID policy (until lifted in late 2022)
These campaigns mobilize resources and society but may also lead to concern and inequities in application.
6. Tools of Authoritarian Control: Surveillance, Censorship, and Propaganda
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses a range of tools to maintain its control over society and suppress dissent. China uses both current technology and typical state ideology to ensure the regime meets little opposition and stays strong.
a. Censorship and Media Control
All important media in China are controlled by the state, including television, newspapers and the publishing sector.
WeChat and Weibo are constantly watched by people in charge of monitoring.
It also keeps a close eye on everything connected to China online and blocks foreign information.
Topics such as Tiananmen Square (1989), independence movements, or criticism of Xi Jinping are routinely scrubbed from digital platforms.
b. Surveillance State
China has established a wide-ranging system for monitoring its citizens.
Includes facial recognition cameras, artificial intelligence, and data tracking.
It is usually claimed that surveillance protects the people, but it is often used to keep an eye on disagreement with the government, politics and ethnic minorities.
c. Social Credit System
Introduced to promote trustworthiness and law-abiding behavior.
A person’s score can increase when they repay debts or could decrease if they complain about the government.
A negative result on an exam may lead to restricted travel, limited access to government services and difficulty finding a job.
7. Civil Liberties and Human Rights
China does not operate under a liberal constitutional framework. While the constitution includes freedom of speech, religion and assembly, these freedoms are controlled by laws and political interests.
a. Freedom of Expression
Being critical of the government can lead to someone being arrested, seeing their posts removed online or losing their jobs.
Ethnic groups and their members are strictly limited in what they say and express.
b. Religious Freedom
Officially permitted but heavily regulated.
These organizations have to join the state’s registry and endorse party morals.
Many unregistered churches, Tibetan Buddhism and the group Falun Gong have been subjected to harsh treatment.
c. Human Rights Concerns
People globally are concerned about the safety and protection of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.
According to the reports, mass internment occurred, labor was made mandatory and cultural identity was targeted through brainwashing.
Rights groups believe the policies described as counter-terrorism by the government should be labeled as human rights abuses.
8. Ethnic Policy, Regional Control, and Hong Kong
a. Ethnic Minorities
Fifty-six ethnicities are officially acknowledged in China, yet the Han Chinese account for more than 90% of all people living there.
Tibet and Xinjiang are closely monitored and individuals living there face severe restrictions on their culture and politics.
Language education policies increasingly promote Mandarin over local languages.
b. Hong Kong
Under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, Hong Kong was promised autonomy after being handed back from Britain in 1997.
Yet, the protests that took place in 2019 following a proposal for an extradition law led to chaos and unrest across Hong Kong.
In 2020, the new security law from Beijing gave Chinese officials authority to prosecute against dissent, ending most of Hong Kong’s ability to govern itself.
9. China’s Foreign Policy and Global Role
Chinese leaders strive to improve their domestic reputation and also to make China more powerful in other countries.
a. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Infrastructure and investment project involving over 100 countries.
The government wishes to increase China’s involvement in the economies of Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
b. United Nations and Multilateralism
China is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Sets guidelines for the world’s governance, frequently choosing state sovereignty over involvement.
c. Taiwan
China treats Taiwan as a separate province and wants to bring it back.
Whenever Taiwan moves towards independence, China threatens to use violence.
The issue remains a major flashpoint in China–US relations.
10. Summary Table: Key Features of China’s Political System
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Political System | One-party state led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) |
| Head of State | President (Xi Jinping, also Party General Secretary and military chief) |
| Legislature | National People’s Congress (NPC); largely symbolic |
| Judiciary | Subordinate to the party; no true independence |
| Media and Internet | State-controlled; subject to censorship and surveillance |
| Civil Society | Limited; NGOs and activists tightly monitored |
| Ethnic and Regional Policy | Strong control from above over regions with minority populations |
| Assumption of Global Leadership | The country influences world affairs through the Belt and Road Initiative |
Final Note: Learning China’s Politics with Depth and Confidence
Understanding how China is governed resembles understanding how a building is constructed. You must carefully consider how party leadership influences the way China is governed, how authoritarian methods are used today and why China’s foreign moves are linked to its public legitimacy.
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