List of premiers of China

This is a list of the premiers of China from 1911–1912, during the Qing dynasty, 1912 onwards of the Republic of China, and 1949 onwards of the People's Republic of China.

The first recorded instance of a monarch of China appointing a chief minister was around 1130 BC, by King Tang of the Shang dynasty. Since then, almost every monarch in China appointed a chief minister to help him or her to run the administration. This role has been known by several different names, most commonly Chancellor. With the unification of China under the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty in 221 BC, the power in the premiers' hands was reduced because of the Emperors' intentions of setting up an absolute monarchy. In 1380, the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty ordered the death of his Chancellor, and did not appoint another in his lifetime. From then until 1911, a number of people formally shared the responsibility of chief minister to the Emperor. Even when one of them dominated government, such as in the case of Li Hongzhang, they were nevertheless formally just one of several ministers of equal status. During much of the Qing dynasty, for example, the traditional role of the Chancellor was performed collectively by the Grand Council.

In mid-1911, the modern position of Premier was created, when the Qing Imperial Government created the "Princes' Cabinet" as a reform of Chinese politics, shortly before it was overthrown. When Yuan Shikai took over the premiership, the premiers of China played an influential role in Chinese politics.

The list below shows the premiers of China during the Qing dynasty. Multiple terms in office, consecutive or otherwise, are listed. The first column shows the consecutively numbered term of the premier, while the second column shows his or her chronological position amongst individual premiers.

For the modern-day positions referred to as Premiers of China, see:

List of prime ministers of the Qing Imperial Government (1911–12)

The Qing Imperial Government created the "Imperial Family Cabinet" in May 1911, in order to appease popular anger and calls for reform. But the formation of the Cabinet brought even more disaffection. Soon, the Wuchang Uprising forced the Qing government to abolish the cabinet, and instead summon Yuan Shikai to head the government. The imperial government collapsed soon afterward.

Zhang Xun briefly held the post during his brief attempt to restore the Qing dynasty in July 1917.

List of prime ministers of Qing Imperial Government

  Non-Partisan   Beiyang clique, etc.

Prime Ministers of Qing Imperial Government
  • period: 8 May 1911 – 10 March 1912
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party Emperor
1 Yikuang (Prince Qing)
慶親王
(1838–1917)
8 May 19111 November 1911177 Non-partisan
(Qing dynasty)
(The Imperial Family)
Xuantong (Puyi)
2 Yuan Shikai
袁世凱
Yuán Shìkǎi
(1859–1916)
2 November 191112 February 1912102 Beiyang clique Xuantong (Puyi)
3 Zhang Xun
張勳
Zhāng Xūn
(1854–1923)
1 July 191712 July 191711 Non-partisan
(warlord)
(restoration attempt)
Puyi
Tried to restore monarchy by a military coup but ended up with failure; not officially recognised by both PRC and ROC governments.

List of premiers of the ROC (since 1912)

List of premiers of the Republic of China

  Non-Partisan   Beiyang clique, etc.   Progressive   Kuomintang (Nationalist)   Democratic Progressive

Premiers of Cabinet of the Republic of China
  • period: 13 March 1912 – 1 May 1914
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party President
1 Tang Shaoyi
唐紹儀
Táng Shàoyí
(1862–1938)
13 March 191227 June 1912106 Beiyang clique Sun Yat-sen, Yuan Shikai
2 Lu Zhengxiang
陸徵祥
Lù Zhēngxiáng
(1871–1949)
29 June 191222 September 191256 Beiyang clique Yuan Shikai
3 Zhao Bingjun
趙秉鈞
Zhào Bǐngjūn
(1859–1914)
25 September 191216 July 1913328 Beiyang clique Yuan Shikai
Duan Qirui
段祺瑞
Duàn Qíruì
(1865–1936)
19 July 191331 July 191312 Beiyang clique Yuan Shikai
4 Xiong Xiling
熊希龄
Xióng Xīlíng
(1870–1937)
31 July 191312 February 1914196 Beiyang clique Yuan Shikai
Sun Baoqi
孫寶琦
Sūn Bǎoqí
(1867–1931)
12 February 19141 May 191478 Beiyang clique Yuan Shikai
Secretaries of State of the Empire of China
  • period: 22 December 1915 – 22 March 1916
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party Emperor
(2) Lu Zhengxiang
陸徵祥
Lù Zhēngxiáng
(1871–1949)
22 December 191522 March 191691 Non-partisan Hongxian (Yuan Shikai)
Secretaries of State of the Republic of China
  • period: 1 May 1914 – 22 December 1915; 22 March 1916 – 29 June 1916
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party President
5 Xu Shichang
徐世昌
Xú Shìchāng
(1855–1939)
1 May 191421 December 1915599 Beiyang clique Yuan Shikai
22 March 191622 April 191631
6 Duan Qirui
段祺瑞
Duàn Qíruì
(1865–1936)
22 April 191629 June 191668 Beiyang clique Yuan Shikai, Li Yuanhong
Premiers of State Council of the Republic of China
  • period: 29 June 1916 – 1 July 1917
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party President
(6) Duan Qirui
段祺瑞
Duàn Qíruì
(1865–1936)
29 June 191623 May 1917328 Progressive Li Yuanhong
Wu Tingfang
伍廷芳
Wu Tíngfāng
(1842–1922)
23 May 191712 June 191720 Progressive Li Yuanhong
Jiang Chaozong
江朝宗
Jiāng Cháozōng
(1861–1943)
12 June 191724 June 191712 Progressive Li Yuanhong
7 Li Jingxi
李經羲
Li Jīngxī
(1859–1925)
25 June 19172 July 19177 Progressive Li Yuanhong
Premiers of State Council of the Republic of China
  • period: 14 July 1917 – 24 November 1924
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party President
(6) Duan Qirui
段祺瑞
Duàn Qíruì
(1865–1936)
14 July 191722 November 1917131 Anhui clique Feng Guozhang
Wang Daxie
汪大燮
Wāng Dàxiè
(1860–1929)
22 November 191730 November 19178 Zhili clique Feng Guozhang
8 Wang Shizhen
王士珍
Wáng Shìzhēn
(1861–1930)
30 November 191720 February 191882 Anhui clique Feng Guozhang
Qian Nengxun
錢能訓
Qián Néngxun
(1869–1924)
20 February 191823 March 191831 Anhui clique Feng Guozhang
(6) Duan Qirui
段祺瑞
Duàn Qíruì
(1865–1936)
23 March 191810 October 1918201 Anhui clique Feng Guozhang
9 Qian Nengxun
錢能訓
Qián Néngxun
(1869–1924)
10 October 191813 June 1919246 Anhui clique Xu Shichang
Gong Xinzhan
龔心湛
Gōng Xīnzhàn
(1871–1943)
13 June 191924 September 1919103 Anhui Clique Xu Shichang
10 Jin Yunpeng
靳雲鵬
Jìn Yúnpéng
(1877–1951)
24 September 191914 May 1920233 Anhui Clique Xu Shichang
Sa Zhenbing
薩鎮冰
Sà Zhènbīng
(1859–1952)
14 May 19209 August 192087 Anhui Clique Xu Shichang
(10) Jin Yunpeng
靳雲鵬
Jìn Yúnpéng
(1877–1951)
9 August 192018 December 1921496 Anhui Clique Xu Shichang
W.W. Yan
Yan Huiqing

顏惠慶
Yán Huìqìng
(1877–1950)
18 December 192124 December 19216 Zhili Clique Xu Shichang
11 Liang Shiyi
梁士詒
Liáng Shìyí
(1869–1933)
24 December 192125 January 192232 Communications Clique Xu Shichang
W.W. Yan
Yan Huiqing

顏惠慶
Yán Huìqìng
(1877–1950)
25 January 19228 April 192273 Zhili Clique Xu Shichang
Zhou Ziqi
周自齊
Zhōu Zìqí
(1871–1923)
8 April 192211 June 192264 Anhui Clique Xu Shichang, Zhou Ziqi (co-serving)
12 W.W. Yan
Yan Huiqing

顏惠慶
Yán Huìqìng
(1877–1950)
12 June 19225 August 192254 Zhili Clique Li Yuanhong
(1) Tang Shaoyi
唐紹儀
Táng Shàoyí
(1862–1938)
5 August 192219 September 192245 Non-partisan Li Yuanhong
13 Wang Chonghui
王寵惠
Wáng Chǒnghuì
(1881–1958)
19 September 192229 November 192271 Non-partisan Li Yuanhong
14 Wang Daxie
汪大燮
Wāng Dàxiè
(1860–1929)
29 November 192211 December 192212 Zhili clique Li Yuanhong
Wang Zhengting
王正廷
Wáng Zhèngtíng
(1882–1961)
11 December 19224 January 192324 Non-partisan Li Yuanhong
15 Zhang Shaozeng
張紹曾
Zhāng Shàozéng
(1879–1928)
4 January 192313 June 1923160 Beiyang clique Li Yuanhong, Gao Lingwei
Gao Lingwei
高凌霨
Gāo Língwèi
(1868–1939)
14 June 192312 January 1924212 Non-partisan Gao Lingwei, Cao Kun
16 Sun Baoqi
孫寶琦
Sūn Bǎoqí
(1867–1931)
12 January 19242 July 1924172 Beiyang clique Cao Kun
Wellington Koo
Koo Vi-kyuin

顧維鈞
Gù Wéijūn
(1887–1985)
2 July 192414 September 192474 Non-partisan Cao Kun
(12) W.W. Yan
Yan Huiqing

顏惠慶
Yán Huìqìng
(1877–1950)
14 September 192431 October 192447 Zhili Clique Cao Kun
Huang Fu
黃郛
Huáng Fú
(1883–1936)
31 October 192424 November 192424 Non-partisan Cao Kun, Huang Fu (co-serving)
Premiers of State Council of the Republic of China
  • period: 24 November 1924 – 2 June 1928
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party President
17 Xu Shiying
許世英
Xǔ Shìyīng
(1873–1964)
26 December 19254 March 192668 Non-partisan Duan Qirui
18 Jia Deyao
賈德耀
Jiǎ Déyào
(1880–1940)
4 March 192620 April 192647 Non-partisan Duan Qirui
Hu Weide
胡惟德
Hú Wéidé
(1863–1933)
20 April 192613 May 192623 Non-partisan Hu Weide (co-serving)
W.W. Yan
Yan Huiqing

顏惠慶
Yán Huìqìng
(1877–1950)
13 May 192622 June 192640 Non-partisan W.W. Yan (co-serving)
Du Xigui
杜錫珪
Dù Xīguī
(1875–1933)
22 June 19261 October 1926101 Non-partisan Du Xigui (co-serving)
19 Wellington Koo
Koo Vi-kyuin

顧維鈞
Gù Wéijūn
(1887–1985)
1 October 192616 June 1927258 Non-partisan V.K. Wellington Koo (co-serving)
Hu Weide
胡惟德
Hú Wéidé
(1863–1933)
16 June 192719 June 19273 Non-partisan Hu Weide (co-serving)
20 Pan Fu
潘復
Pān Fù
(1883–1936)
20 June 19273 June 1928349 Non-partisan Zhang Zuolin
Presidents of Executive Yuan of the Republic of China
  • period: 25 October 1928 – 24 May 1948
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party President
21 Tan Yankai
譚延闓
Tán Yánkǎi
(1880–1930)
25 October 192822 September 1930697 Kuomintang Tan Yankai (co-serving), Chiang Kai-shek
Died in office.
T.V. Soong
Soong Tse-ven

宋子文
Sòng Ziwén
(1894–1971)
25 September 193018 November 193054 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
22 Chiang Kai-shek
蒋中正
Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng
(1887–1975)
18 November 193015 December 1931392 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek (co-serving)
Chen Mingshu
陳銘樞
Chén Míngshū
(1889–1965)
15 December 19311 January 193217 Kuomintang Lin Sen
23 Sun Fo
孫科
Sūn Kē
(1891–1973)
1 January 193228 January 193227 Kuomintang Lin Sen
24 Wang Jingwei
汪兆銘
Wāng Jīngwèi
(1883–1944)
28 January 193225 August 1932210 Kuomintang Lin Sen
T.V. Soong
Soong Tse-ven

宋子文
Sòng Ziwén
(1894–1971)
25 August 193230 March 1933217 Kuomintang Lin Sen
(24) Wang Jingwei
汪兆銘
Wāng Jīngwèi
(1883–1944)
30 March 19336 November 1935951 Kuomintang Lin Sen
H.H. Kung
Kung Hsiang-hsi

孔祥熙
Kǒng Xiángxī
(1881–1967)
6 November 19357 December 193531 Kuomintang Lin Sen
(22) Chiang Kai-shek
蔣中正
Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng
(1887–1975)
7 December 193513 December 1936372 Kuomintang Lin Sen
H.H. Kung
Kung Hsiang-hsi

孔祥熙
Kǒng Xiángxī
(1881–1967)
13 December 19366 April 1937114 Kuomintang Lin Sen
Wang Chonghui
王寵惠
Wáng Chǒnghuì
(1881–1958)
6 April 193729 May 193753 Kuomintang Lin Sen
(22) Chiang Kai-shek
蔣中正
Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng
(1887–1975)
29 May 19371 January 1938217 Kuomintang Lin Sen
25 H.H. Kung
Kung Hsiang-hsi

孔祥熙
Kǒng Xiángxī
(1881–1967)
1 January 193811 December 1939709 Kuomintang Lin Sen
(22) Chiang Kai-shek
蔣中正
Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng
(1887–1975)
11 December 193931 May 19451998 Kuomintang Lin Sen, Chiang Kai-shek (co-serving)
26 T.V. Soong
Soong Tse-ven

宋子文
Sòng Ziwén
(1894–1971)
31 May 19451 March 1947639 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek
蔣中正
Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng
(1887–1975)
1 March 194723 April 194753 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
27 Zhang Qun
張群
Zhāng Qún
(1889–1990)
23 April 194729 May 1948402 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
Presidents of Executive Yuan of the Republic of China
  • period: 24 May 1948 – present
No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of Office Days Political party President
28 Weng Wenhao
翁文灝
Wēng Wénhào
(1889–1971)
29 May 194823 December 1948208 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
(23) Sun Fo
孫科
Sūn Kē
(1891–1973)
23 December 194824 March 194991 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek, Li Zongren
29 He Yingqin
何應欽
Hé Yìngqīn
(1890–1987)
24 March 194913 June 194981 Kuomintang Li Zongren
30 Yan Xishan
閻錫山
Yán Xíshān
(1883–1960)
13 June 194915 March 1950275 Kuomintang Li Zongren (acting), Chiang Kai-shek
Government fled to Taiwan in his term.
31 Chen Cheng
陳誠
Chén Chéng
(1897–1965)
15 March 19501 June 19541539 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
32 Yu Hung-Chun
俞鴻鈞
Yú Hóngjūn
(1897–1960)
1 June 195415 July 19581505 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
(31) Chen Cheng
陳誠
Chén Chéng
(1897–1965)
15 July 195816 December 19631980 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
Wang Yun-wu
王雲五
Wáng Yúnwǔ
(1888–1979)
1 July 196316 September 196377 Non-partisan Chiang Kai-shek
33 C.K. Yen
Yen Chia-kan

嚴家淦
Yán Jiāgàn
(1905–1993)
16 December 19631 June 19723090 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek
34 Chiang Ching-kuo
蔣經國
Jiǎng Jīngguó
(1910–1988)
1 June 197220 May 19782179 Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek, C.K. Yen, Chiang Ching-kuo (co-serving)
Hsu Ching-chung
徐慶鐘
Xú Qìngzhōng
(1907–1996)
20 May 19781 June 197812 Kuomintang Chiang Ching-kuo
35 Sun Yun-suan
孫運璿
Sūn Yùnxuán
(1913–2006)
1 June 19781 June 19842192 Kuomintang Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiu Chuang-huan
邱創煥
Qīu Chuànghuàn
(1925–2020)
24 February 19841 June 198498 Kuomintang Chiang Ching-kuo
36 Yu Kuo-hwa
俞國華
Yú Guóhuá
(1914–2000)
1 June 19841 June 19891826 Kuomintang Chiang Ching-kuo, Lee Teng-hui
37 Lee Huan
李煥
Lǐ Huàn
(1917–2010)
1 June 19891 June 1990365 Kuomintang Lee Teng-hui
38 Hau Pei-tsun
郝柏村
Hǎo Bócūn
(1919–2020)
1 June 199027 February 19931002 Kuomintang Lee Teng-hui
39 Lien Chan
連戰
Lián Zhàn
(1936– )
27 February 19931 September 19971647 Kuomintang Lee Teng-hui
40 Vincent Siew
Siew Wan-chang

蕭萬長
Xiāo Wàncháng
(1939– )
1 September 199720 May 2000992 Kuomintang Lee Teng-hui
41 Tang Fei
唐飛
Táng Fēi
(1932– )
20 May 20006 October 2000139 Kuomintang Chen Shui-bian
42 Chang Chun-hsiung
張俊雄
Zhāng Jùnxióng
(1938– )
6 October 20001 February 2002483 Democratic Progressive Chen Shui-bian
First non-KMT premier.
43 Yu Shyi-kun
游錫堃
Yóu Xíkūn
(1948– )
1 February 20021 February 20051096 Democratic Progressive Chen Shui-bian
44 Frank Hsieh
Hsieh Chang-ting

謝長廷
Xiè Chángtíng
(1946– )
1 February 200525 January 2006358 Democratic Progressive Chen Shui-bian
45 Su Tseng-chang
蘇貞昌
Sū Zhēnchāng
(1947– )
25 January 200621 May 2007481 Democratic Progressive Chen Shui-bian
(42) Chang Chun-hsiung
張俊雄
Zhāng Jùnxióng
(1938– )
21 May 200720 May 2008365 Democratic Progressive Chen Shui-bian
46 Liu Chao-shiuan
劉兆玄
Liú Zhàoxuán
(1943– )
20 May 200810 September 2009478 Kuomintang Ma Ying-jeou
47 Wu Den-yih
吳敦義
Wú Dūnyì
(1948– )
10 September 20096 February 2012879 Kuomintang Ma Ying-jeou
48 Sean Chen
Chen Chun

陳冲
Chén Chōng
(1949– )
6 February 201218 February 2013378 Kuomintang Ma Ying-jeou
49 Jiang Yi-huah
江宜樺
Jiāng Yīhuá
(1960– )
18 February 20138 December 2014658 Kuomintang Ma Ying-jeou
Youngest premier to take office.
50 Mao Chi-kuo
毛治國
Máo Zhìguó
(1948– )
8 December 20141 February 2016420 Kuomintang Ma Ying-jeou
51 Chang San-cheng
張善政
Zhāng Shànzhèng
(1954– )
1 February 201620 May 2016109 Non-partisan Ma Ying-jeou
First non-partisan premier. First administration with a DPP legislative majority.
52 Lin Chuan
林全
Lín Quán
(1951– )
20 May 20168 September 2017476 Non-partisan Tsai Ing-wen
53 Lai Ching-te
(William Lai)
賴清德
Lài Qīngdé
(1959–)
8 September 201714 January 2019493 Democratic Progressive Tsai Ing-wen
(45) Su Tseng-chang
蘇貞昌
Sū Zhēnchāng
(1949–)
14 January 201931 January 20231478 Democratic Progressive Tsai Ing-wen
Second Premiership
54 Chen Chien-jen
陳建仁
Chén Jiànrén
(1951–)
31 January 2023Incumbent270 Democratic Progressive Tsai Ing-wen

List of premiers of the PRC (since 1949)

The premiership of PRC was created since the establishment of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949.

List of premiers of the People's Republic of China
Generations of leadership

  First Administration   Second Administration   Third Administration   Hu–Wen Administration   Xi–Li Administration

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Constituency
Term of office NPC Cabinet
1 Zhou Enlai
周恩来
(1898–1976)
Beijing At-large
1 October 1949 15 September 1954 26 years, 99 days CP Zhou I
15 September 1954 18 April 1959 I Zhou II
18 April 1959 21 December 1964 II Zhou III
21 December 1964 4 January 1975 III Zhou IV
4 January 1975 8 January 1976 IV Zhou V
Geneva Conference in 1954, Asian-African Conference, 1972 Nixon visit to China, Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution
Offices: Foreign Minister (1949–1958), CPPC Chairman (1954–1976)
†Died in office (cancer)
2 Hua Guofeng
华国锋
(1921–2008)
Hunan At-large
4 February 1976 7 April 1976 4 years, 219 days IV (acting)
7 April 1976 5 March 1978 Hua I
5 March 1978 10 September 1980§ V Hua II
Two Whatevers, Tiananmen Incident, Downfall of the Gang of Four, Sino-Vietnamese War, One Child Policy
Offices: Governor of Hunan (1970–1976), Minister of Public Security (1975–1977), Vice Premier (1975–1976)
§ Ousted
3 Zhao Ziyang
赵紫阳
(1919–2005)
Beijing At-large
10 September 1980 6 June 1983 7 years, 75 days V (acting)
6 June 1983 24 November 1987§ VI Zhao
Chinese economic reform, Sino-British Joint Declaration, Joint Declaration on the Question of Macau, Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
Offices: Governor of Guangdong (1974–1975), Governor of Sichuan (1975–1980)
§ Resigned
4 Li Peng
李鹏
(1928–2019)
Beijing At-large
24 November 1987 25 March 1988 10 years, 113 days VI (acting)
25 March 1988 15 March 1993 VII Li P. I
15 March 1993 17 March 1998 VIII Li P. II
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Three Gorges Dam, Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong
Offices: Chairman of State Education Commission (1985–1988), Vice Premier (1983–1987)
5 Zhu Rongji
朱镕基
(1928– )
Hunan At-large
17 March 1998 19 September 2004 6 years, 186 days IX Zhu
Transfer of sovereignty over Macau, accession to the World Trade Organization
Offices: Mayor of Shanghai (1987–1991), Governor of People's Bank of China (1993–1995), First-ranking Vice Premier (1993–1998)
6 Wen Jiabao
温家宝
(1942– )
Gansu At-large
19 September 2004 16 March 2008 8 years, 177 days X Wen I
16 March 2008 15 March 2013 XI Wen II
SARs outbreak, Anti-Secession Law, H5N1 avian flu outbreak, 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo
Offices: Vice Premier (1998–2004)
7 Li Keqiang
李克强
(1955–2023)
Shandong At-large (until 2018)
Guangxi At-large (from 2018)
15 March 2013 18 March 2018 9 years, 361 days XII Li K.
18 March 2018 11 March 2023 XIII
2014 Ludian earthquake, H7N9 avian flu outbreak, COVID-19 pandemic, Beijing Winter Olympics
Offices: First-ranking Vice Premier (2008–2013)
8 Li Qiang
李强
(1958– )
Yunnan At-large
11 March 2023 Incumbent 231 days XIV Li Q.
Offices: Governor of Zhejiang (2012–2016)

See also

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