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National People's Congress

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State Council

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President of the People's Republic of China

President of the People's Republic of China

The President of the PRC is the head of state of the PRC and the supreme representative of China both internally and externally. The presidency is an independent State apparatus and an important component of the State organs.

According to international practice, the Chinese president, like most heads of state in the world, has the power to promulgate statutes and holds supreme diplomatic and ceremonial power. Under the current Constitution, the president has the power to promulgate statutes adopted by the NPC Standing Committee; appoint and remove members of the State Council; confer State medals and titles of honor in accordance with the decisions of the NPC and its Standing Committee; issue orders of special pardons; proclaim martial law; declare a state of war; issue mobilization orders; and on behalf of the PRC receive the credentials offered by foreign diplomatic representatives; appoint and recall plenipotentiary representatives abroad; and ratify and abrogate treaties and important agreements concluded with foreign states.

China adopts a system of collective leadership. The president is subordinate to the NPC and directly receives instructions from the highest organ of State power.

Previous presidents of the PRC were: Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Li Xiannian and Yang Shangkun.

Current president of China is Jiang Zemin and vice-president is Hu Jintao.