Formal name: The People’s Republic of China (PRC)

Capital: Beijing

Constitution: After the founding of the PRC, four Constitutions have been formulated successively in 1954, 1975, 1978 and 1982. The present Constitution was adopted in 1982 and amended four times, most recently on March 14, 2004.

Top legislative power: The National People’s Congress (NPC) and its Standing Committee. Representing the people and all levels of people’s congresses in China, the NPC supervises all state-level institutions. Its powers include electing the President of China.

Head of State: President Hu Jintao elected March 15, 2003.

Top administrative body: The State Council, which is the cabinet or chief administrative body of the PRC that includes the heads of all governmental agencies. Headed by Premier Wen Jiabao.

Military: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Second Artillery Force. Hu Jintao is chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, the country’s top military agency and commander of its armed forces.