President of The People's Republic of China - Selection, Succession, and Requirements

Selection, Succession, and Requirements

People's Republic of China

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According to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China since 1982, the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top law-making body, has the power to elect and force the resignation of the President. By law, the President must be a Chinese citizen of 45 years of age or older. The President cannot serve for over two successive terms, a term being the equivalent of one session of the NPC, which is five years. Also, all the authorities and works of the President must be done under the NPC and its Standing Committee's order.

The President promulgates statutes adopted by the NPC and NPCSC. The functions of the President are largely ceremonial; the President appoints the Premier upon the NPC's decision, Vice-Premiers, State Council members and Ministers of all departments upon the nomination of the Premier, all ambassadors to foreign countries, and all legislative committee chairs, treasurers and secretaries. The President has the responsibility to give Special Presidential Decrees, and declare states of emergency, and declare war ritually upon the NPC's decision without any own power. The President is assisted by the Vice-President.

In the event that the President dies or leaves office, the Vice-President automatically assumes presidential powers. In the event that they both are unable to perform normal duties, the Chairman of the National People's Congress will perform the duties of the President as Acting President until the NPC can elect a new one.

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