The Central Politburo of the Communist Party of China formally Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, formerly known as Central Bureau (中央局) before 1927, is a group of 25 people who oversee the Communist Party of China. Unlike politburos (political bureaus) of other Communist parties, power within the politburo is centralized in the Politburo Standing Committee. The Politburo is nominally elected by the Central Committee.
The power of the Politburo resides largely in the fact that its members generally simultaneously hold positions within the People's Republic of China state positions and with the control over personnel appointments that the Politburo and Secretariat have. In addition, some Politburo members hold powerful regional positions. How the Politburo works internally is unclear, but it appears that the full Politburo meets once a month and the standing committee meets weekly. This is believed to be much more infrequent than the former Soviet Politburo had met. The agenda for the meetings appears to be controlled by the General Secretary and decisions are made by consensus rather than by majority vote.
The Politburo was eclipsed by the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in the early 1980s under Hu Yaobang, but has re-emerged as a dominant force after Hu's ousting in 1987.
The 18th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee on November 15, 2012, consisting of 25 members.
In stroke order of surnames:
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the People's Republic of China, 1st-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee,
Ma Kai, Vice Premier
Wang Qishan, 6th-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection
Wang Huning, Director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee
Liu Yunshan, 5th-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee, Top-ranked Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, Chairman of the Central Guidance Commission for Building Spiritual Civilization, President of the Central Party School
Liu Yandong, Vice Premier
Liu Qibao, Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, Head of the CPC Propaganda Department
Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
Sun Chunlan, party chief of Tianjin (until 2014); head of the CPC United Front Work Department
Sun Zhengcai, Party chief of Chongqing
Li Keqiang, 2nd-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee, Premier of the People's Republic of China
Li Jianguo, Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of the National People's Congress
Li Yuanchao, Vice President of the People's Republic of China
Wang Yang, Vice Premier
Zhang Chunxian, Party chief of Xinjiang (until 2016); deputy leader, Leading Group for Party Building
Zhang Gaoli, 7th-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee, First-ranked Vice Premier
Zhang Dejiang, 3rd-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
Meng Jianzhu, Head of the Central Politics and Law Commission of the Communist Party of China
Zhao Leji, Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, Head of the CPC Organization Department
Hu Chunhua, Party chief of Guangdong
Yu Zhengsheng, 4th-ranked member of Politburo Standing Committee and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Li Zhanshu, Secretary of CPC Central Secretariat, Chief of the General Office of the Communist Party of China
Guo Jinlong, Party chief of Beijing
Han Zheng, Party chief of Shanghai
The 7th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee on June 19, 1945, consisting of 13 members.
Members:
Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Party Central Committee
Zhu De
Liu Shaoqi
Zhou Enlai
Ren Bishi, Secretary-General of the Party Central Committee (died in October, 1950)
Chen Yun
Kang Sheng
Gao Gang (fell from power in February, 1954; died in August, 1954)
Peng Zhen
Dong Biwu
Lin Boqu
Zhang Wentian
Peng Dehuai
Members elected at the 5th Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee in April, 1955:
Lin Biao
Deng Xiaoping, Secretary-General of the Party Central Committee
The 8th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee on September 28, 1956, consisting of 17 members and 6 alternate members.
Members:
Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Liu Shaoqi, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee until August, 1966; member of the Politburo Standing Committee (fell from power in January, 1967; dismissed in October, 1968)
Zhou Enlai, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee until August, 1966; member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Zhu De, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee until August, 1966; member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Chen Yun, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee until August, 1966; member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Deng Xiaoping, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee until August, 1966; member of the Politburo Standing Committee (fell from power in January, 1967)
Lin Biao, elected Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee in May, 1958
Lin Boqu (died in May, 1960)
Dong Biwu
Peng Zhen (fell from power in May, 1966)
Luo Ronghuan (died in December, 1963)
Chen Yi
Li Fuchun, elected member of the Politburo Standing Committee in August, 1966
Peng Dehuai (fell from power in August, 1959)
Liu Bocheng
He Long (fell from power in September, 1967)
Li Xiannian
Alternate members:
Ulanhu (fell from power in August, 1966)
Zhang Wentian (fell from power in August, 1959)
Lu Dingyi (fell from power in May, 1966)
Chen Boda (until August, 1966)
Kang Sheng (until August, 1966)
Bo Yibo (fell from power in January, 1967)
Members elected at the 5th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee in May, 1958:
Ke Qingshi (died in April, 1965)
Li Jingquan (fell from power in January, 1967)
Tan Zhenlin (fell from power in August, 1967)
Members elected at the 11th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee in August, 1966:
Tao Zhu, simultaneously elected member of the Politburo Standing Committee (fell from power in January, 1967)
Chen Boda, simultaneously elected member of the Politburo Standing Committee (previously alternate member)
Kang Sheng, simultaneously elected member of the Politburo Standing Committee (previously alternate member)
Xu Xiangqian
Nie Rongzhen
Ye Jianying
Alternate embers elected at the 11th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee in August, 1966:
Li Xuefeng
Xie Fuzhi
Song Renqiong (fell from power in August, 1967)
During the Cultural Revolution, the Politburo ceased to function from March, 1967 to April, 1969.
The 9th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee on April 28, 1969, consisting of 21 members and 4 alternate members.
Members:
Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Lin Biao, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee (died in September, 1971)
Zhou Enlai, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Chen Boda, member of the Politburo Standing Committee (fell from power in September, 1970; dismissed in August, 1973)
Kang Sheng, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Ye Qun (died in September, 1971)
Ye Jianying
Liu Bocheng
Jiang Qing
Zhu De
Xu Shiyou
Chen Xilian
Li Xiannian
Li Zuopeng (fell from power in September, 1971; dismissed in August, 1973)
Wu Faxian (fell from power in September, 1971; dismissed in August, 1973)
Zhang Chunqiao
Qiu Huizuo (fell from power in September, 1971; dismissed in August, 1973)
Yao Wenyuan
Huang Yongsheng (fell from power in September, 1971; dismissed in August, 1973)
Dong Biwu
Xie Fuzhi (died in March, 1972)
Alternate members:
Ji Dengkui
Li Xuefeng (fell from power in January, 1971; dismissed in August, 1973)
Li Desheng
Wang Dongxing
The 10th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 10th Central Committee on August 30, 1973, consisting of 21 members and 4 alternate members.
Members:
Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee (died in September, 1976)
Zhou Enlai, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee (died in January, 1976)
Wang Hongwen, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee (fell from power in October, 1976; dismissed in July, 1977)
Kang Sheng, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee (died in December, 1975)
Ye Jianying, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Desheng, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee until January, 1975
Zhu De, member of the Politburo Standing Committee (died in July, 1976)
Zhang Chunqiao, member of the Politburo Standing Committee (fell from power in October, 1976; dismissed in July, 1977)
Dong Biwu, member of the Politburo Standing Committee (died in April, 1975)
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Wei Guoqing
Liu Bocheng
Jiang Qing (fell from power in October, 1976; dismissed in July, 1977)
Xu Shiyou
Hua Guofeng, appointed First Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee in April, 1976; appointed Chairman of the Party Central Committee in October, 1976
Ji Dengkui
Wu De
Wang Dongxing
Chen Yonggui
Chen Xilian
Li Xiannian
Yao Wenyuan (fell from power in October, 1976; dismissed in July, 1977)
Alternate members:
Wu Guixian
Su Zhenhua
Ni Zhifu
Saifuddin Azizi
Member appointed in December, 1973:
Deng Xiaoping, elected Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee in January, 1975 (dismissed in April, 1976)
Member elected at the 3rd Plenary Session of the 10th Central Committee in July, 1977:
Deng Xiaoping, simultaneously elected Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
The 11th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee on August 19, 1977, consisting of 23 members and 3 alternate members.
Members:
Hua Guofeng, Chairman of the Party Central Committee until June, 1981; elected Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee in June, 1981; member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Ye Jianying, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Deng Xiaoping, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Xiannian, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Wang Dongxing, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee (resigned in February, 1980)
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Wei Guoqing
Ulanhu
Fang Yi
Liu Bocheng
Xu Shiyou
Ji Dengkui (resigned in February, 1980)
Su Zhenhua (died in February, 1979)
Li Desheng
Wu De (resigned in February, 1980)
Yu Qiuli
Zhang Tingfa
Chen Yonggui (fell from power in September, 1980)
Chen Xilian (resigned in February, 1980)
Geng Biao
Nie Rongzhen
Ni Zhifu
Xu Xiangqian
Peng Chong
Alternate members:
Chen Muhua
Zhao Ziyang (until September, 1979)
Saifuddin Azizi
Members elected at the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee in December, 1978:
Chen Yun, simultaneously elected Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Deng Yingchao
Hu Yaobang, appointed Secretary-General of the Party Central Committee in December, 1978; elected General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee in February, 1980; elected Chairman of the Party Central Committee in June, 1981
Wang Zhen
Members elected at the 4th Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee in September, 1979:
Zhao Ziyang (previously alternate member), elected member of the Politburo Standing Committee in February, 1980; elected Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee in June, 1981
Peng Zhen
The 12th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee on September 13, 1982, consisting of 25 members and 3 alternate members.
Members:
Hu Yaobang, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee until January, 1987; member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Ye Jianying, member of the Politburo Standing Committee (retired in September, 1985)
Deng Xiaoping, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Zhao Ziyang, member of the Politburo Standing Committee; appointed Acting General Secretary of the Party Central Committee in January, 1987
Li Xiannian, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Chen Yun, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Wan Li
Xi Zhongxun
Wang Zhen (retired in September, 1985)
Wei Guoqing (retired in September, 1985)
Ulanhu (retired in September, 1985)
Fang Yi
Deng Yingchao (retired in September, 1985)
Li Desheng (retired in September, 1985)
Yang Shangkun
Yang Dezhi
Yu Qiuli
Song Renqiong (retired in September, 1985)
Zhang Tingfa (retired in September, 1985)
Hu Qiaomu
Nie Rongzhen (retired in September, 1985)
Ni Zhifu
Xu Xiangqian (retired in September, 1985)
Peng Zhen
Liao Chengzhi (died in June, 1983)
Alternate members:
Yao Yilin (until September, 1985)
Qin Jiwei
Chen Muhua
Members elected at the 5th Plenary Session of the 12th Central Committee in September, 1985:
Tian Jiyun
Qiao Shi
Li Peng
Wu Xueqian
Hu Qili
Yao Yilin (previously alternate member)
The 13th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee on November 2, 1987, consisting of 17 members and 1 alternate member.
Members:
Zhao Ziyang, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee (dismissed in June, 1989)
Li Peng, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Qiao Shi, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Hu Qili, member of the Politburo Standing Committee (dismissed in June, 1989)
Yao Yilin, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Wan Li
Tian Jiyun
Jiang Zemin, elected General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee in June, 1989
Li Tieying
Li Ruihuan, elected member of the Politburo Standing Committee in June, 1989
Li Ximing
Yang Rudai
Yang Shangkun
Wu Xueqian
Song Ping, elected member of the Politburo Standing Committee in June, 1989
Hu Yaobang (died in April, 1989)
Qin Jiwei
Alternate member:
Ding Guangen
The 14th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 14th Central Committee on October 19, 1992, consisting of 20 members and 2 alternate members.
Members:
Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Peng, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Qiao Shi, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Ruihuan, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Zhu Rongji, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Liu Huaqing, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Hu Jintao, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Ding Guangen
Tian Jiyun
Li Lanqing
Li Tieying
Yang Baibing
Wu Bangguo
Zou Jiahua
Chen Xitong (dismissed in September, 1995)
Jiang Chunyun
Qian Qichen
Wei Jianxing
Xie Fei
Tan Shaowen (died in February, 1993)
Alternate members:
Wen Jiabao
Wang Hanbin
Member elected at the 4th Plenary Session of the 14th Central Committee in September, 1994:
Huang Ju
The 15th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 15th Central Committee on September 19, 1997, consisting of 22 members and 2 alternate members.
Members:
Jiang Zemin, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Peng, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Zhu Rongji, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Ruihuan, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Hu Jintao, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Wei Jianxing, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Lanqing, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Ding Guangen
Tian Jiyun
Li Changchun
Li Tieying
Wu Bangguo
Wu Guanzheng
Chi Haotian
Zhang Wannian
Luo Gan
Jiang Chunyun
Jia Qinglin
Qian Qichen
Huang Ju
Wen Jiabao
Xie Fei (died in October, 1999)
Alternate members:
Zeng Qinghong
Wu Yi
The 16th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee on November 15, 2002, consisting of 24 members and 1 alternate member.
Members:
Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Wu Bangguo, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Wen Jiabao, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Jia Qinglin, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Zeng Qinghong, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Huang Ju, member of the Politburo Standing Committee (died in June, 2007)
Wu Guanzheng, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Changchun, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Luo Gan, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Wang Lequan
Wang Zhaoguo
Hui Liangyu
Liu Qi
Liu Yunshan
Wu Yi
Zhang Lichang
Zhang Dejiang
Chen Liangyu (dismissed in September, 2006)
Zhou Yongkang
Yu Zhengsheng
He Guoqiang
Guo Boxiong
Cao Gangchuan
Zeng Peiyan
Alternate member:
Wang Gang
The 17th Politburo was elected at the 1st Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee on October 22, 2007, consisting of 25 members. There have been no alternate members since.
Members:
Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Party Central Committee and member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Wu Bangguo, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Wen Jiabao, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Jia Qinglin, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Changchun, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Xi Jinping, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Li Keqiang, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
He Guoqiang, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Zhou Yongkang, member of the Politburo Standing Committee
Others in stroke order of surnames:
Wang Gang
Wang Lequan
Wang Zhaoguo
Wang Qishan
Hui Liangyu
Liu Qi
Liu Yunshan
Liu Yandong
Li Yuanchao
Wang Yang
Zhang Gaoli
Zhang Dejiang
Yu Zhengsheng
Xu Caihou
Guo Boxiong
Bo Xilai (dismissed in April, 2012)
