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Because both the Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army promote according to seniority, it is possible to discern distinct 'generations of Chinese leadership'. These groups of leadership have each promoted an extension of the ideology of the former, which in some cases stirred away the direction of national development.

Contents

First generation

Second generation

Third generation

Fourth generation

Fifth generation

Notes

See also

First generation

From 1949 to 1976, Mao Zedong as core, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi, Xi Zhongxun, later Lin Biao and Gang of Four (neither Lin or the Gang are considered formally to be part of this generation because of political antagonism resulting from the Cultural Revolution). These were the leaders that founded the People's Republic of China after the Communist victory in the Chinese Civil War. One characteristic of these leaders were that they tended to be both political and military leaders. Most had little education outside China, and their formative experiences included the Long March, the Chinese Civil War, and the Second Sino-Japanese War. The guiding political ideology from the first generations were general principles of Marxism and ''Mao Zedong Thought''.

Second generation

From 1976 to 1997, Deng Xiaoping as core, Chen Yun, Hu Yaobang, Zhao Ziyang, Hua Guofeng, Ye Jianying, Song Ping. These leaders were also involved in the Chinese revolution, but with the exception of Deng Xiaoping, served in more junior roles. Unlike the first generation, many were educated overseas, particularly in France. Their young formative experiences were similar to the first generation. Most had some position of authority during the Cultural Revolution, although as a rule those that held power after the 1980s were purged during that decade. This generation turned the focus from class struggle and political movements to economic development, pioneering Chinese economic reform.
Dominant political ideology of the era was Deng Xiaoping Theory.

Third generation

From 1997 to 2003, Jiang Zemin as core, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Qiao Shi, Li Ruihuan - These leaders were born before the revolution but were educated afterwards before the Sino-Soviet split. Most of them received education in the Soviet Union as engineers and entered the party initially as factory managers. Unlike their predecessors, there is a split between the political and military leadership. Their formative experiences included the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Korean War. This generation continued economic development while China saw the emergence of various serious social issues. Dominant political ideology was officially Jiang's Three Represents.

Fourth generation

From 2003, likely will last until 2013. Hu Jintao is the core figure, the prominent leaders include Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong and Wu Bangguo. Also known as the "republican generation" or the Hu-Wen Administration. Most were born between 1950 and 1959.^[1] These were promoted to top leadership at the 16th Party Congress and are expected to remain in power until the 18th party congress in 2012. Most of them were engineers whose educations were disrupted by the Cultural Revolution and unlike both their predecessors and successors have spent very little time overseas. Dominant political ideology of this era is Hu's Harmonious Society.

Fifth generation

The fifth generation is an emerging generation whose membership is not yet known. Analysts have suggested that the fifth generation will likely become the first to have leaders not directly appointed but rather relying on the development of inner-party democracy. Current Liaoning Party Chief Li Keqiang, a former Communist Youth League General Secretary, is widely speculated on becoming the core figure of this generation ^[2]. Other prominent figures that are speculated to be top figures in the 5th generation include Shanghai Party Chief Xi Jinping, Jiangsu Party Chief Li Yuanchao, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan, Chongqing Party Chief Wang Yang, Tianjin Party Chief Zhang Gaoli, CPC whip Liu Yandong (likely successor of Wu Yi as the number one female figure), National Reform and Development Commission Minister Ma Kai and Tibet Autonomous Region Party Chief Zhang Qingli. In the fifth generation one sees fewer engineers and more management and finance majors, including successful entrepreneurs. Most of the fifth generation of civilian leadership were educated in elite universities in the European Union and the United States. This generation will be dominated by Hu Jintao's Communist Youth League faction. ^[3]

Notes

1. Ting Wang. "The Rise of Qinghua Alumni in Beijing’s Political Circle." ''Hong Kong Economic Journal'', 29 December 2005
2. Duowei:两会：中共第五代新星登场，唯怕张扬
3. Willy Wo-Lap Lam. China's 5th generation comes of age, CNN, January 1, 2003

See also

★ Politics of the People's Republic of China

★ Political position ranking of the People's Republic of China

★ History of the People's Republic of China