Human Rights Practices
1999 State Department Report on China
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is an authoritarian statein which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the paramount sourceof power. At the national and regional levels, party members holdalmost all top government, police, and military positions. Ultimateauthority rests with members of the Politburo. Leaders stressthe need to maintain stability and social order and are committedto perpetuating the rule of the CCP and its hierarchy. Citizenslack both the freedom to express peacefully opposition to theparty-led political system and the right to change their nationalleaders or form of government.The party’s authority rests primarily on the government’s ability to maintain social stability,…
