Beijing's historic Xicheng District has been the home of the national political centre ever since the Yuan Dynasty. Today, as a centre of political decisions, the West Chang'an Avenue in Xicheng has been a site of many important meetings of historical significance and a host of numerous foreign exchanges. Numerous laws and policies were promulgated and approved here, whose importance will stretch far into the future.

Political Position

  The construction of the Great Hall of the People began in 1958 and was completed a year later. Here, the NPC holds sessions to discuss state affairs. It has three parts: the grand hall in the middle with a capacity of 10,000 people, a banquet hall in the north and NPC offices in the south.

  As a major base for national political centre, Xicheng District's importance is reflected in all the previous national congresses of CPC since 1949 and all previous sessions of the NPC and CPPCC held in the Great Hall of the People and the Conference
Hall of CPPCC, both located in Xicheng District. These two places are the starting point for the growth and development of new China.

  The Conference Hall of the CPPCC was first established in 1954 and was put to use two years later, earlier than the Great Hall of the People. Some important meetings were held here in the early years of PRC, including the Eighth National Congress of the CPC which consolidates the leading role of the Party.

  Behind the Xinhua Gate is Zhongnanhai, the centre of the Chinese Government, where, since the establishment of the PRC in 1949, the Central Committee of CPC and State Council are located. Nowadays, Xinhua Gate is often seen as a symbol of the central
government. The five Chinese characters wei renmin fuwu (serving the people), written on the screen behind the gate by Chairman Mao Zedong when the PRC was founded, indicates the Chinese Government's obligation to "govern for the people."

  Some of the important ministries and commissions under the State Council are located in Xicheng District, including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, People's Bank of China.