General Secretary of the Communist Party of China

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China
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Title	General Secretary of the Communist Party of China
Native name	中国共产党中央委员会总书记
Seat	Zhongnanhai
Appointer	Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Incumbent	Xi Jinping
Incumbent since	2012-11-15
Formation	1982
Inaugural	Hu Yaobang

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China is the highest-ranking official within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and, since the late 20th century, the paramount leader of the People's Republic of China. The office coordinates the CCP's Central Committee, the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, and the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, linking party direction with national policy. Holders of the office commonly direct relations among the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the Central Military Commission, and provincial party committees.

History

The post evolved from early Republican-era and revolutionary structures associated with leaders such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, and institutionalized after the Cultural Revolution to prevent personalized rule. During the 1950s and 1960s, titles including Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Committee were predominant, exemplified by Mao's leadership during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. Following the death of Mao Zedong and the ousting of the Gang of Four, reformists led by Deng Xiaoping pursued collective leadership and created formalized party positions; the current title was codified during the 12th Central Committee in 1982 as part of party reforms influenced by experiences during the Cultural Revolution and the work of leaders such as Hua Guofeng and Zhao Ziyang. In the 1990s and 2000s, officeholders including Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao consolidated the convention linking party leadership with state roles established in the aftermath of Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and the subsequent political reconfiguration.

Role and Powers

The General Secretary presides over the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, convenes sessions of the Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China, and influences appointments to the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and provincial party secretaries. Through direction of the Central Military Commission—often held concurrently—the officeholder controls military appointments and strategic guidance affecting the People's Liberation Army. The post sets ideological priorities aligned with doctrines such as Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, and steers major policy areas including trade relations with entities like the World Trade Organization and diplomatic engagement with states including the United States, Russia, European Union, and India. The General Secretary can shape legal and institutional reform interacting with organs such as the National People's Congress and the Supreme People's Court.

Selection and Term

The General Secretary is formally elected by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China following a National Congress of the CCP, a process shaped by informal elite negotiation among factional groupings like the Princelings and the Tuanpai (Communist Youth League faction). Conventionally, tenure has followed norms developed during the reform era—two five-year terms as observed under Hu Jintao—though exceptions and adjustments have occurred. The selection process involves deliberations within the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and consensus-building at meetings such as the Zhongnanhai retreats and plenary sessions of the Central Committee. External events, including economic crises, leadership transitions during periods like the 1989 unrest, or strategic shifts initiated by figures such as Deng Xiaoping, have altered succession outcomes.

Relationship with State Institutions

While the office is a party position, holders commonly occupy concurrent state offices, including the President of the People's Republic of China and chairs of the Central Military Commission, linking party direction to state authority. The officeholder's relationship with the State Council of the People's Republic of China affects premier appointments such as those of Li Keqiang and predecessors. Coordination with judicial organs including the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Supreme People's Court enables legal policy implementation, while interactions with provincial authorities such as the Guangdong Provincial Committee or Sichuan Provincial Committee determine cadre promotions. Internationally, the General Secretary represents CCP positions in meetings with leaders of parties like the Communist Party of Vietnam, Russian Communist Party (KPRF), and engagements within forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Notable Officeholders

Notable holders include Hu Yaobang, who presided over early 1980s reformist openings; Zhao Ziyang, associated with market-oriented reforms and affected by the 1989 protests; Jiang Zemin, who led during China's accession to the World Trade Organization; Hu Jintao, associated with the concept of Harmonious Society and collective leadership norms; and Xi Jinping, who has advanced concepts such as Xi Jinping Thought and overseen structural changes including anti-corruption campaigns led by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Each officeholder's tenure intersected with events such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, China's entry into the WTO, and policy projects like the Made in China 2025 plan.

Symbols and Protocol

Symbols associated with the office include insignia of the Chinese Communist Party such as the party emblem and flags used at venues like Great Hall of the People and Zhongnanhai headquarters. Protocol places the General Secretary at the top of official order of precedence used during state ceremonies with leaders from the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Invitations to multilateral summits including the BRICS meetings or state visits involve coordination among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (People's Republic of China) and the Office of the Central Military Commission.

Criticisms and Controversies

Criticisms of the office and its holders include debates over centralization of authority following the tenure of figures such as Xi Jinping, concerns regarding human rights raised by organizations commenting on events like policies in Xinjiang and Tibet, disputes over media controls involving outlets such as Xinhua News Agency and People's Daily, and international controversies about trade practices and technology policies involving firms like Huawei and responses from governments like the United States and European Union. Domestic controversies have encompassed anti-corruption prosecutions targeting high-ranking officials such as Bo Xilai and legal reforms debated within bodies like the National People's Congress.

Category:Politics of the People's Republic of China Category:Chinese Communist Party