State Council

The State Council (), synonymous with the Central People’s Government () since 1954 (particularly in relation to local governments), is the chief administrative authority of the People’s Republic of China. It is chaired by the Premier and includes the heads of each governmental department and agency. Currently, the council has 35 members: the premier, one executive vice premier, three vice premiers, five state councilors (of whom two are also ministers), and 25 additional ministers and chairs of major agencies. In the politics of the People’s Republic of China, the Central People’s Government forms one of three interlocking branches of power, the others being the Communist Party of China and the People’s Liberation Army. The State Council directly oversees the various subordinate People’s Governments in the provinces, and in practice maintains membership with the top levels of the Communist Party of China.