The People's Republic of China is a one-party state ruled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Despite this, eight minor political parties subservient to the CCP exist. Under the one country, two systems principle, the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, which were previously colonies of European powers, operate under a different political system from the rest of China. Currently, both Hong Kong and Macau possess multi-party systems that were introduced just before the handover of the territories to China.

Legal parties

Ruling party

The Chinese Communist Party is the sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China. The Chinese constitution states that "The defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China", while the CCP constitution declares the party to be the "highest force for political leadership".

Minor parties

While only the CCP holds effective power at the national level, there are officially eight minor and non-oppositional parties that exist alongside the CCP that are officially titled "democratic parties". Founded before the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, these parties must accept the "leading role" of the CCP as a condition of their continued existence. The relationship between these parties and the CCP has officially been described as "long-term coexistence and mutual supervision, treating each other with full sincerity and sharing weal or woe" (prosperity or adversity) According to Human Rights Watch, these parties "play an advisory rather than an oppositional role". The eight minor parties take part in "united front work" and also take part in the political system, but they have no power at a national level. The Chinese political system allows for the participation of some members of the eight minor parties and other non-CCP members in the National People's Congress (NPC), but they are vetted by the CCP. According to Aaron Friedberg, these parties' "purpose is to create the illusion of inclusiveness and representation." One of the ways the CCP controls the minor parties is through its United Front Work Department (UFWD), which vets the membership applications and controls who is the leader of these parties. UFWD also keeps the parties in check by preventing them from expanding widely in counties and villages. The cadres of the eight parties are trained at the Central Institute of Socialism. The parties are directed by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought. There is officially a ranking system of the parties; the ranking is based on their "contribution to the new democratic revolution".

Other parties

Banned parties

The following parties formed in China are (or have previously been) banned by the government:

Overseas parties