Asia & Pacific · reference
🇨🇳 China
One-party socialist republic led by the Communist Party
SystemOne-party socialist republic led by the Communist Party
Head of statePresident Xi Jinping, who holds power as General Secretary of the Communist Party and military chairman
Head of governmentPremier Li Qiang
LegislatureNational People's Congress · about 3,000 delegates chosen through party-managed indirect elections
ElectionsNo competitive national elections · the NPC ratifies leadership chosen within the Communist Party
Last election2023-03 · 14th National People's Congress confirmed state leadership (indirect)
Next election2028-03 · 15th National People's Congress convenes after 2027 delegate selection
Xi Jinping, in power since 2012 and unbound by term limits since 2018, has centralised authority beyond any leader since Mao, with no designated successor. The world's second-largest economy contends with a property slump, demographic decline and technology rivalry with the United States. Pressure on Taiwan and militarisation of the South China Sea make the Indo-Pacific the primary arena of great-power competition.
Live encyclopedic leader and election records · verified 2026-07-02
The Margin models elections where a competitive public record exists · all countries