An introduction to the Chinese Legal and Government Structure
CCP
NCP
Chinese Communist Party
The Central Committee
- Meets in plenary sessions to form key policies
- Approves nominees to the NPC.
National People's Congress
The supreme legislative organ (the Parliament)
- Changes Basic Law
- Approves Laws submitted by CCP Standing Committee
- Meets annually for about 2 weeks to review and approve major new policy directions, laws, the budget, and major personnel changes.
Political Bureau & CCP Standing Committee
NPC Standing Committee
- Exercises State Power when the NPC is not in session.
- Enacts and amends all laws not enacted by the NPC so long as it does not contravene the basic principles of original laws.
State Council
The Cabinet
- Enacts administrative regulations in accordance with the constitution and the laws
- Present initiatives to the NPC to approve following recommendation from the CCP.
People's Congress - Provincial Level
Enacts local regulations that do not contravene the Constitution.
People's Congress of National Autonomous Regions
- Enacts autonomy regulations and specific regulations.
Jurisdiction over cases assigned to it by law, or over cases that it decides it should try. has jurisdiction over appeals or protests from the higher people's court and special people's courts
Supreme People's Court
Supreme People's Procuratorate
Central Military Commission
Prosecution organ
Top military command body. Sets policy for the People's Liberation Army.
Higher People's Courts
Around 30, located in provinces. Dealing with major criminal cases which impact the entire province. Courts also hear cases of appeals or protests against judgments and orders of lower courts.
Intermediate People's Court
Around 370, also located in provinces. Deals with major cases with foreign parties; counter-revolutionary cases; criminal cases subject to sentence of life imprisonment or death; cases where foreigners committed crimes; appeals and protests.
Basic People's Court
3,000 courts, at county level.
Adjudicate criminal and civil cases of first instance (excluding criminal cases carrying penalty of death or life imprisonment, as well as certain foreign civil cases.