Premier of China

The premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China is the head of government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and leader of the State Council, the executive organ of the National People's Congress (NPC) and highest administrative organ of state power. The post of prime minister was established in 1911 near the end of the Qing dynasty. Following the establishment of the Republic of China, the premier of the Cabinet was established, which was renamed to the Premier of State Council in 1916 and the president of the Executive Yuan in 1928. The ROC post has continued to exist in Taiwan following the government's retreat to the island. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the premier of the Government Administration Council of the Central People's Government was established. With the adoption of a constitution in 1954, the post was renamed into the premier of the State Council. The premier is the third-highest-ranking official in China's political system after the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (party leader) and the president (state representative), and holds the highest rank in the civil service of the central government. Since 1993, the positions of general secretary and president have been held by the same person, making the premier effectively the second-highest-ranking official in practice. The premier presides over the plenary and executive meetings of the State Council, and assumes overall leadership over the State Council's work. The premier delivers a government work report at the annual session of the NPC. The premier also signs administrative regulations passed by the State Council and signs the orders approving the appointment and removal of vice-ministerial level officials of the State Council, as well as chief executives of Hong Kong and of Macau. The premier additionally has...