Today, emperors born into position through a family dynasty
no longer rule China. Rather, the Republic of China currently
operates under a communist government, which is divided into several
branches including the National People's Congress (NPC), the State
Council, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
(CPPCC). The NPC, led by President Jiang Zemin, is the highest-ranking
section of the government. Much like our own executive and legislative
branches of the government, the NPC holds the power to pass laws
and change the constitution, as well as elect members of the State
Council and Chinese Supreme Court. The State Council is a branch
of councilors and ministers in charge of state affairs who report
back to the National People's Congress. Finally, the CPPCC is
a committee of representatives from every political party; organization
and ethnicity who convene in attempt to make decisions on state
policies that will benefit all of the groups represented.
After the end of the Qing dynasty in 1912, China was still upholding
a "feudalistic" society where a small group of rich
landlords had the majority of the country's wealth, leaving masses
of peasants in poverty and despair. Imperialism from Europe also
humiliated the Chinese people because they were not truly in control
of their own country, having been forced into a plethora of unfair
treaties. Finally, the Chinese Communist Party formed in 1921
with the goal of abolishing foreign oppression of China. Leading
the people in resistance against the foreign, capitalist, bureaucratically
forces in the country. Since the establishment of the People's
Republic of China in 1949, the government has desperately tried
to heal the country's wounds that resulted from years of national
turmoil. Their first priority is to assure that all Chinese "eat
their fill and dress warmly," a task not easy to do considering
the country's gargantuan population. This all falls under the
Declaration of Human Rights which states that all citizens are
entitled to "life, liberty and sustenance" (we see the
difference in two countries' situations by comparing this maxim
to the United States' principle calling for "life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness.)
Under this socialist government, "freedom of speech, the
press, assembly, association, marching and demonstration is guaranteed"
for Chinese citizens. Those eighteen years or older have the right
to vote for deputies of the National People's Congress. They also
have the right to "lodge a complaint against officials"
if their rights are violated. Additionally, the country promises
government protection of religious rights. China supports equal
rights for all ethnic groups, prohibiting discrimination, including
discrimination against women. However, the underlying principle
behind today's Chinese government is the socialist idea that "All
power in the People's Republic of China belongs to the people."
After centuries of being under the control of an emperor and years
of subjecting to foreign powers, the Chinese desperately work
for a society in which the citizens lead their own country.
To find out more on present-day Chinese government, visit the People's Daily Online
1."The Right to Subsistence-The Foremost Human Right the Chinese People Fight For." The People's Daily. http://www.english.peopledaily.com/cn.whitepaper/4(1).html Visited 10-25-00
2."Civil and Political Rights" The People's Daily.
http://english.peopledaily.com/cn/whitepaper/12(2).html
visited 10-25-00
3."Introduction to China: Constitution of the People's
Republic of China." Embassy of the People's Republic of China
in the United States of America. http://www.china-embassy.org/China/china.htm
Visited 10-25-00