The National Security Commission (CNSC; 中央国家安全委员会) is a commission of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) responsible for national security work and coordination.
| 中央国家安全委员会 Zhōngyāng Guójiā'ānquán Wěiyuánhuì | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | November 2013 |
| Jurisdiction | Chinese Communist Party |
| Headquarters | Beijing |
| Ministers responsible |
|
| Parent agency | Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party |
| Child agencies | |
The proposals to establish a commission related to national security originated under CCP General Secretary Jiang Zemin in 1997, though it was never implemented due to the fear of concentrating too much power in one person. After the United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999, the Central National Security Leadership Small Group (NSLSG) was established in 2000. The commission was established at the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th CCP Central Committee in November 2013, in what was considered a major regrouping of Party structure. Analysts regarded the establishment of the CNSC one of the most "concrete" and "eye-catching" outcomes of the Plenary Session, the culmination of a more than decade-long internal debate on whether China should have a national security council.
The commission has operated very secretively, being described by The New York Times as "one of the most secretive bodies of a secretive state". Its size, staffing and powers not being publicized. It additionally contains local committees in provinces, cities and counties, which focus on domestic threats such as dissent and protests. Since its establishment, the CNSC has been chaired by CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping.
History
The initial conception of the CNSC came during the Jiang Zemin era in 1997, with a proposal by Wang Daohan, later the president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.[1] Jiang had taken interest in the United States National Security Council during his state visit to the United States that year.[2][3] Out of concern that the establishment of such a body would give too much power to the leader, who would be head of both the commission and the Central Military Commission, it was never implemented.[2][4][5]: 184
The proposal was again reconsidered in 1999 after the United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade due to concern over how long it took various state security agencies to gather information on the incident and make it known to Chinese leadership,[5]: 184 leading to the establishment of the Central National Security Leadership Small Group (NSLSG) in 2000 to coordinate national security crisis response.[6]: 178
Xi Jinping later revived the idea as part of his reforms in the foreign policy and security sectors, as part of an attempt to overcome problems that have accumulated for many years.[7] It was established at the 3rd Plenary Session of the 18th CCP Central Committee in November 2013,[8] during what was considered a "major regrouping of the top CCP power structure."[5] Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Qin Gang stated that the NSC would aim to combat the "three evils"; namely terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism.[9]
Xi Jinping articulated a concept of "big security" in the first meeting of the CNSC on April 15, 2014, saying that China "should take an overall approach to national security, strengthen the confidence of the Chinese people in the path, theories and system of socialism with distinctive Chinese features, and ensure China’s durable peace and stability." These definitions contain meanings of both domestic security and foreign threats.[7]
Between April 2014 and 2018, the CNSC had no publicly reported meetings.[4] In 2018, it held its second publicized meeting. Between March and April 2020, the Commission held its third publicized meeting,[10] In May 2023, the Commission held its first publicly announced meeting after the 20th CCP Congress in 2022.[11]
Purpose and functions
After its establishment, it was speculated that the CNSC would aim to consolidate political leadership of all components of the security apparatus controlled by the Communist Party, including those headed formerly by former Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) member Zhou Yongkang. These components would be combined into a single entity under the direct command of the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. It was also speculated that it would deal with national security strategy, crisis management, and links with foreign national security agencies.[5]
The most common explanation for the creation of the CNSC relate to the personal and leadership style of Xi Jinping, and, in the eyes of commentators, his ambition to seize power.[12] These personal factors, however, coincide with China wielding a much greater level of national power. Xi wishes China to play a greater role in world affairs, and so a mechanism like the CNSC would allow it to plan and implement, from the center, "grand strategy" ideas and "big power diplomacy."[7]
The CNSC would thus fulfill Xi Jinping's ambitions for "Big power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics," rather than the quieter foreign policy agendas of previous administrations. Having a National Security Council assists in China's own "self-identification as a big power in world affairs." This also requires a more advanced diplomatic capability, a task in which the CNSC is supposed to assist in.[7]
The New York Times described the commission as "one of the most secretive bodies of a secretive state", whose "size, staffing and powers remain unclear".[13] The meetings of the Commission happen roughly once a year, but mentions of the meetings usually only emerge in local party websites, where orders from the speech are summarized. The Commission additionally has local security committees in provinces, cities and counties, which focus on domestic threats such as dissent and protests.[13]
Membership
Since its establishment, the CNSC has been led by the CCP general secretary, with the premier and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress serving as vice chairs. The director of the CCP General Office has served as the director of the CNSC Office.[14]
- Chairman
- Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CCP, President of the People's Republic, Chairman of the Central Military Commission[4]
- Vice Chairmen
- Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, Politburo Standing Committee
- Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Politburo Standing Committee
- Cai Qi, First Secretary of the CCP Secretariat, Politburo Standing Committee
- Members
- General Office Chief
References
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