Political consultation and the new central government
The first plenary session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference met in Beiping in September 1949, with representatives of the Chinese Communist Party, other parties, organizations and further groups. It adopted the Common Program and other documents, elected the Central People’s Government Council and decided the national name, capital and symbols. These arrangements prepared the institutional basis for establishing the government on October 1.
The meeting and proclamation of October 1
On October 1, the Central People’s Government Council held its first meeting, accepted the Common Program as its policy framework and appointed Zhou Enlai premier of the Government Administration Council and foreign minister, alongside other officials. Mao Zedong announced the government’s establishment from Tiananmen in Beijing and read its proclamation. The document described preparations, elections and appointments, formally notifying domestic and overseas audiences.
The proclamation, dated October 1, appeared in the People’s Daily the following day. The ceremony was followed by printed circulation, while newspapers, broadcasts and government notices carried the government’s name, personnel and diplomatic position into public life.
References: [1]
Recovery, production and education in the Common Program
The Common Program called for recovery in agriculture, industry and transport and defined relationships among state, cooperative, private and other economic sectors. It proposed restoring railways, roads and waterways, developing heavy industry and recovering textiles and other everyday production. Budgets, taxation and financial administration were tied to these tasks, making postwar production and supply central concerns.
Its educational provisions proposed broader schooling, technical education and scientific research to train people for reconstruction. Schools, transport and factories formed connected parts of its program.
References: [2]
Diplomacy and regional political change
The government’s proclamation proposed diplomatic relations with foreign governments on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and respect for territorial sovereignty. Civil war continued, while political transfer and economic recovery proceeded across regions. The establishment of the government in 1949 brought together new central institutions, policy documents and diplomatic representation in a new period of state organization.