Zur Rolle von Parlament und Staatspräsident der VR China in der Kulturrevolution (1966-1969) und danach

Abstract With a few reservations which apply to the Council of State, the central State apparatus led a shadowy existence during the Cultural Revolution. During this time the Party leadership around Mao Tse-tung chiefly governed by means of “internal orders” which were passed on through the channels of command of the Party apparatus in the Army without following the normal procedure of being carried out by the civil government institutions. The convening of the IVth National People’s Congress which is overdue since January 1968 has still not taken place to this day owing to continued disputes over policy and personnel in the top echelons of the Party. It remains to be seen whether the Congress will retain the post of President of State that has been vacant since the fall of Liu Shao-ch’i and which is highly controversial in view of the Lin Piao affair. The 1970 draft of the Constitution provides for a Council of State, albeit one with its authority reduced, but there is no mention of a “Chairman of the People’s Republic of China”.