In periods of greater openness, the influence of people and organizations outside the formal party structure has tended to increase, particularly in the economic realm. This phenomenon is most apparent today in the rapidly developing coastal region. Nevertheless, in all important government, economic, and cultural institutions in China, party committees work to see that party and state policy guidance is followed and that non-party members do not create autonomous organizations that could challenge party rule. Party control is tightest in government offices and in urban economic, industrial, and cultural settings; it is considerably looser in the rural areas, where the majority of the people live.

Theoretically, the party's highest body is the Party Congress, which is supposed to meet at least once every 5 years. The primary organs of power in the Communist Party include:

The Politburo Standing Committee, which currently consists of nine members;
The Politburo, consisting of 24 full members, including the members of the Politburo Standing Committee;
The Secretariat, the principal administrative mechanism of the CCP, headed by the General Secretary;
The Central Military Commission;
The Discipline Inspection Commission, which is charged with rooting out corruption and malfeasance among party cadres.

Under the Chinese constitution, the NPC is the highest organ of state power in China. It meets annually for about 2 weeks to review and approve major new policy directions, laws, the budget, and major personnel changes. These initiatives are presented to the NPC for consideration by the State Council after previous endorsement by the Communist Party's Central Committee. Although the NPC generally approves State Council policy and personnel recommendations, various NPC committees hold active debate in closed sessions, and changes may be made to accommodate alternate views.

When the NPC is not in session, its permanent organ, the Standing Committee, exercises state power.

Foreign Minister--Li Zhaoxing
Minister of Commerce--Bo Xilai
Minister of Finance--Jin Renqing
Minister of Agriculture--Du Qinglin
Minister of Information Industry--Wang Xudong
Governor, People's Bank of China--Zhou Xiaochuan
Minister, State Development and Reform Commission--Ma Kai
Ambassador to U.S.--Zhou Wenzhong
Ambassador to UN--Wang Guangya