The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a core component of the Party's central organizations and lead agencies. The CPC began to set up its Political Bureau at its Fifth National Congress held in April, 1927.

The Political Bureau is elected at the plenary sessions of the CPC Central Committee. According to the Party Constitution since the 12th National Congress of the CPC, "The CPC Central Committee's plenary sessions are convened by the Political Bureau; the Central Committee's plenary session should be held at least once every year." "When the Central Committee is not in session, the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee exercise the functions and powers of the Central Committee." The Political Bureau is supposed to report its work to the Central Committee on a regular basis.

The Political Bureau adopts the principle of a collective leadership. The General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee is responsible for convening all meetings of the Political Bureau. The Political Bureau is obligated to fully implement the Party's guidelines, principles and policies adopted at CPC's national congresses. Decisions made by the Political Bureau with regard to personnel changes in CPC's central agencies and to the Party's key issues should be ratified thereafter by the Central Committee's plenary sessions.

(CRIENGLISH.com September 21, 2007)