Administrative Divisions of The People's Republic of China

Administrative Divisions Of The People's Republic Of China

People's Republic of China
This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
the People's Republic of China
Ideology
  • Generations of Chinese leadership
    • Paramount leader
  • Guiding Political Ideologies
    • Mao Zedong Thought
    • Deng Xiaoping Theory
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    • Scientific Development Concept
Constitution
  • History
    • 1954 Constitution
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Communist Party
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        • Xi Jinping
    • Central Politburo
      • Politburo Standing Committee (List)
      • Central Secretariat
        • Liu Yunshan
      • CPC Central Military Commission
        • Chairman
          • Xi Jinping
    • Central Commission for Discipline Inspection
      • Secretary
        • Wang Qishan
Legislature
  • National People's Congress
    (Members)
    • NPC Standing Committee
      • Chairman
        • Wu Bangguo
Executive
  • State and Government leaders
    • Provincial leaders
  • President (List)
    • Hu Jintao
  • Vice President (List)
    • Xi Jinping
  • State Council
    • Premier (List)
      • Wen Jiabao
    • Vice Premiers (List)
      • Li Keqiang
      • Hui Liangyu
      • Zhang Dejiang
      • Wang Qishan
    • State Councilors
  • PRC Central Military Commission
    • Chairman
      • Hu Jintao
United Front
  • Political Consultative Conference
    • National Committee
      • Chairman
        • Jia Qinglin
  • Minor political parties
Military
  • Central Military Commission
    • Chairman
      • Xi Jinping
    • People's Liberation Army
    • People's Armed Police Force
  • State Council
    • National Defense Mobilization Commission
      • Chairman
        • Wen Jiabao
    • Ministry of National Defense
      • Minister of National Defense
        • Liang Guanglie
    • People's Armed Police Force
Judiciary
  • Supreme People's Court
    • President
      • Wang Shengjun
  • Supreme People's Procuratorate
    • Procurator-General
      • Cao Jianming
Law
  • Legislative System
    • Statutes
  • Central Politics and Law Commission
    • Secretary
      • Zhou Yongkang
  • Judicial system
    • Court system
Other Issues
  • National Congresses of the Communist Party
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Due to the People's Republic of China's large population and area, the administrative divisions of China have consisted of several levels since ancient times. The constitution of the People's Republic of China provides for three de jure levels of government. Currently, however, there are five practical (de facto) levels of local government: the province, prefecture, county, township, and village.

Since the 17th century, provincial boundaries in China have remained largely static. Major changes since then have been the reorganization of provinces in the northeast after the establishment of the People's Republic of China and the formation of autonomous regions, based on Soviet ethnic policies. The provinces serve an important cultural role in China, as people tend to identify with their native province.

Read more about Administrative Divisions Of The People's Republic Of China:  Levels, Ambiguity of The Word "city" in China, History, Reform

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