Who selects the members of the Standing Committee of the Politburo?

The selection of members of the Standing Committee of the Politburo is done by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. This committee plays a crucial role in the political structure of China, as it is responsible for making significant decisions regarding party leadership and governance. The Central Committee consists of several hundred members, but the process of selecting the Standing Committee is highly influential and reflects the larger dynamics within the party.

The Standing Committee itself is a small group of top leaders who hold substantial power and make critical policy decisions. The discretion of the Central Committee in this selection process has implications for who wields power within the party and how policies are formulated and implemented at the highest levels.

In contrast, while the National Party Congress, local party leaders, and the Chinese Premier have roles within the political structure, they do not directly select the members of the Standing Committee. The National Party Congress meets infrequently and is more of a ceremonial body, local party leaders have influence in their regions but lack the reach to influence top-level appointments directly, and the Premier operates within the executive branch rather than selecting members of the Party leadership. Therefore, the correct answer underscores the hierarchical nature of the Chinese Communist Party and the Central Committee's pivotal role in shaping the party's top leadership.