ABSTRACT
The membership of the State Council's "inner cabinet," even more than that of the Party Secretariat, symbolizes the change in the character of the leadership that has been occurring in China. Nevertheless, since 1981-1982 he has been deeply and continuously involved in China's foreign policy and has made several important state visits abroad. Ji Pengfei is responsible under the State Council for overall coordination of foreign affairs. Zhang Aiping, who heads the Ministry of National Defense, is the one state councillor who has been a professional military man throughout his career. The various groups—permanent and ad hoc—engaged in coordination tasks within the Chinese system sometimes make definite decisions. Huan Xiang is a frequent participant in the Party's Foreign Affairs Small Group, and he frequently writes authoritative articles on foreign policy. He clearly plays a very influential personal role in the system, and he has direct access to China's top government and Party leaders.
