Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission

Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission
中共中央政法委员会
Abbreviation Zhongyang Zhengfawei
(中央政法委)
Predecessor Political and Legal Affairs Leading Group
Formation 1980
Type Commission directly reporting to the Central Committee
Location
  • Beijing
Head
Meng Jianzhu
Deputy head
Guo Shengkun
Secretary-General
Wang Yongqing
Parent organization
Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Website www.chinapeace.gov.cn
Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission
Simplified Chinese 中共中央政法委员会
Traditional Chinese 中共中央政法委員會

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China, commonly referred to as Zhongyang Zhengfawei (中央政法委) in Chinese, is the organization under the party's Central Committee responsible for political and legal affairs. In practice the organization oversees all legal enforcement authorities, including the police force, making it a very powerful organ.

All the Party committees of provinces, municipalities, counties and autonomous regions establish respective politics and law commissions.

The Commission is headed by a secretary who is usually a Central Politburo member.

History

The Commission was preceded by a Politics and Law Leading Group (政法领导小组; Zhèngfǎ Lǐngdǎo Xiǎozǔ) which was set up in 1958, with Peng Zhen as its leader. During the Cultural Revolution it was led by Ji Dengkui, who served as group leader until 24 January 1980, when the Commission was established, with Peng Zhen back as its secretary. The Commission was reverted to Leading Group from May 1988 to March 1990.

After the 18th Party Congress in 2012, Meng Jianzhu replaced Zhou Yongkang as the head of the commission. However, Meng, unlike Zhou, was not elected to the 18th Politburo Standing Committee.[1] The apparent downgrading of the post followed Zhou's connection with the Wang Lijun incident, which has discredited Chongqing politician Bo Xilai's method of using the internal security apparatus for political ends. As a result, the independence of the judiciary in China has increased.[2]

List of heads

Central Political and Law Group

Central Politics and Law Commission

Current composition

References

  1. "China leaders reassert control over security portfolio". BBC News. 2012-11-21. Retrieved 2012-11-21.
  2. Page, Jeremy (2012-11-20). "China Reins In New Security Boss's Clout". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2012-11-21.
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