Vice President of China facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vice President of the People's Republic of China
Flag of China
National Emblem of China
Incumbent Han Zheng since 10 March 2023
Style	Mr. Vice President (副主席) (informal) His Excellency (阁下) (diplomatic)
Residence	Zhongnanhai
Seat	Zhongnanhai West Building, Beijing
Nominator	Presidium of the National People's Congress
Appointer	National People's Congress
Term length	Five years, renewable
Constituting instrument	Constitution of China
Inaugural holder	Li Yuanhong (Republican era) Zhu De (current form)
Formation	1 January 1912; 113 years ago (1912-01-01) (Republican era) 27 September 1954; 70 years ago (1954-09-27) (current form)
Abolished	Between 1975 and 1982

The Vice President of China is an important official in the People's Republic of China. This person works as the main helper to the President of the People's Republic of China. The President is like the head representative of the country.

Even though the Vice President is a high-ranking position, it's mostly a ceremonial role. This means the Vice President performs official duties and represents China, but doesn't have a lot of direct power in how the country is run day-to-day.

The idea of a Vice President in China started a long time ago, in the Republican era in 1912. The first person to hold this job was Li Yuanhong. The job as we know it today was officially created in 1954. Back then, it was called "state vice chairman."

The position was removed for a short time between 1975 and 1982. When it was brought back in 1982, it was given the name "vice president." At first, a Vice President could only serve two terms. However, this limit was removed in 2018.

Today, the Vice President helps the President with their tasks. If the President's job becomes empty, the Vice President steps in until a new President is chosen. The current Vice President of China is Han Zheng, who started his role on March 10, 2023.

History of the Vice President Role

Li Yuanhong, the first Vice President in Chinese history.

The role of Vice President first appeared in China in 1912. This was when the Republic of China was founded. Li Yuanhong became the very first Vice President. This early version of the job was removed in 1917.

Later, in 1947, the job was brought back. After 1949, the government of the Republic of China moved to Taiwan, and the Vice President's office continued there.

In the People's Republic of China, the role started in 1954. It was first called the "state vice chairman." This position, along with the "state chairman" (President), was removed in 1975.

The office was restored in 1982 and renamed "Vice President." The new rules in 1982 said that the President and Vice President could only serve two terms. But on March 11, 2018, this rule was changed. The term limits for both the President and Vice President were removed.

How the Vice President is Chosen

Who Can Be Vice President?

To become the Vice President, a person must meet a few requirements:

• They must be a Chinese citizen.
• They must have the right to vote and to be elected for public office.
• They must be at least 45 years old.

The Election Process

The Vice President is chosen by the National People's Congress (NPC). The NPC is China's highest state power. The group that leads the NPC, called the NPC Presidium, suggests who should be the Vice President.

Even though the Presidium could suggest more than one person, they usually only suggest one candidate. This candidate is effectively chosen by the Chinese Communist Party leaders.

After the suggestion, the NPC votes to elect the Vice President. The NPC also has the power to remove the Vice President from office if needed. Elections and removals are decided by a majority vote. The Vice President serves a term of five years, just like the NPC. Since 2018, the Vice President must take an oath of office before starting their job.

What the Vice President Does

The main job of the Vice President is to help the President. They can also take on some of the President's duties when asked. If the President's position becomes empty, the Vice President steps in as President until a new one is elected by the NPC. If the Vice President's job becomes empty, the NPC elects a new Vice President.

In reality, the Vice President's role is mostly about representing the country. However, many Vice Presidents have also been important members of the Politburo Standing Committee. This is a very powerful group that makes key decisions for China. They have also been involved in the Central Secretariat, which handles party affairs.

The Vice President often plays a big part in China's relationships with other countries. For example, they usually join the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, which helps plan China's foreign policy. They also often work with the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macau Affairs. So, even if the Vice President doesn't have a lot of direct power, the job is still very important and respected. People chosen for this role are usually influential leaders.

List of Vice Presidents

Generations of leadership

      First Administration       Second Administration       Third Administration       Hu–Wen Administration       Xi–Li Administration/Xi Jinping Administration

Early Leaders (1949–1954)

Before the official Vice President role was created, several people served as "Vice Chairmen of the Central People's Government." They worked together to lead the country.

• Zhu De
• Liu Shaoqi
• Song Qingling
• Li Jishen
• Zhang Lan
• Gao Gang (until his death in 1954)

Vice Chairmen (1954–1975)

This table shows the leaders who held the title of "Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China" under the 1954 Constitution.

Vice Chairmen of the People's Republic of China

Portrait		Name (Birth–Death)		Term of office		NPC	Chairman
1		Zhu De 朱德 (1886–1976)		27 September 1954	27 April 1959	I	Mao Zedong
				He was the first Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China.
2		Song Qingling 宋庆龄 (1893–1981)	Dong Biwu 董必武 (1886–1975)	27 April 1959	17 January 1975	II · III	Liu Shaoqi
				They served together as Vice Chairmen.
The position was empty and then removed.

Vice Presidents (1982–present)

This table lists the Vice Presidents of the People's Republic of China since the role was brought back in 1982.

Vice President of the People's Republic of China

Portrait		Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		NPC	President
3		Ulanhu 乌兰夫 (1906–1988)	18 June 1983	8 April 1988	VI	Li Xiannian
			Ulanhu was the first Vice President under the 1982 Constitution.
4		Wang Zhen 王震 (1908–1993)	8 April 1988	12 March 1993	VII	Yang Shangkun
			Wang Zhen was a military leader. He became Vice President in an honorary role.
5		Rong Yiren 荣毅仁 (1916–2005)	12 March 1993	15 March 1998	VIII	Jiang Zemin
			Rong Yiren was a member of a non-Communist political party in China.
6		Hu Jintao 胡锦涛 (born 1942)	15 March 1998	15 March 2003	IX	Jiang Zemin
			Hu Jintao was the first Vice President to become President later on.
7		Zeng Qinghong 曾庆红 (born 1939)	15 March 2003	15 March 2008	X	Hu Jintao
			Zeng Qinghong was a political helper to Jiang Zemin before becoming Vice President.
8		Xi Jinping 习近平 (born 1953)	15 March 2008	14 March 2013	XI	Hu Jintao
			Xi Jinping also later became President, like Hu Jintao.
9		Li Yuanchao 李源潮 (born 1950)	14 March 2013	17 March 2018	XII	Xi Jinping
			Li Yuanchao represented China at many important international events.
10		Wang Qishan 王岐山 (born 1948)	17 March 2018	10 March 2023	XIII	Xi Jinping
			Wang Qishan was chosen for his experience in foreign affairs.
11		Han Zheng 韩正 (born 1954)	10 March 2023	Incumbent	XIV	Xi Jinping
			Han Zheng was a former Vice-Premier before becoming Vice President.

See also

In Spanish: Vicepresidente de la República Popular China para niños

• Order of precedence in China
• List of current vice presidents and designated acting presidents