Since the abolition of the post Chairman of the Communist Party in 1982, the General Secretary is the highest ranking official of the party and heads the Politburo Standing Committee.

List of general secretaries

• Chen Duxiu 1921-1922; 1925-1927
• Qu Qiubai de facto leader 1927-1928
• Xiang Zhongfa 1928-1931
• Li Lisan de facto leader 1929-1930
• Wang Ming (acting) 1931-1932
• Qin Bangxian 1932-1935
• Zhang Wentian, General Secretary 1935-1943
• vacant, replaced by the Chairman (1943-1956)
• Deng Xiaoping, General Secretary 1956–1967
• vacant (1967-1980)
• Hu Yaobang, General Secretary 1980-1987
• Zhao Ziyang, General Secretary 1987-1989
• Jiang Zemin, General Secretary 1989-2002
• Hu Jintao, General Secretary since 2002

See also

• List of leaders of the Communist Party of China
• Political position ranking of PRC

References

• China Online Encyclopedia