Chongqing - As the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates its 105th anniversary in 2026, China's political and administrative system continues to operate through institutions with distinct responsibilities that work toward common goals. One example is the system commonly referred to as the "four leading bodies."

The four leading bodies are the CPC committee, the People's Congress, the government, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). They operate at both the central and local levels.

“The four leading bodies share common goals and perform complementary functions,” said Zheng Changzhong, a Professor at Fudan University. 

Within this framework, each has different responsibilities. The CPC committee provides overall leadership and coordination, including setting strategic directions, addressing major cross-sector issues, and overseeing the selection and supervision of leading officials. 

The People’s Congress exercises statutory functions, including deliberating government work reports, reviewing budgets, enacting laws and regulations, and supervising government and judicial work. 

The government is responsible for administration and implementation. It translates broader goals into concrete policies and public services in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social security. 

The CPPCC serves as a platform for political consultation and democratic supervision. It brings together representatives from different political parties, sectors of society, experts, scholars, and grassroots representatives to conduct consultations, gather opinions, and provide suggestions during policymaking and implementation. 

Through this division of responsibilities, the four leading bodies integrate decision-making, legislation, administration, consultation, and supervision into a single governance framework.

“Together, they form a coordinated mechanism covering decision-making and legislation, implementation, and supervision.”