cabinet: State Council appointed by the National People's Congress (NPC)

elections: president and vice president elected by the National People's Congress for five-year terms; elections last held 16-18 March 1998 (next to be held NA March 2003); premier nominated by the president, confirmed by the National People's Congress

election results: JIANG Zemin reelected president by the Ninth National People's Congress with a total of 2,882 votes (36 delegates voted against him, 29 abstained, and 32 did not vote); HU Jintao elected vice president by the Ninth National People's Congress with a total of 2,841 votes (67 delegates voted against him, 39 abstained, and 32 did not vote)

Christmas Island: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general

head of government: Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia

Cocos (Keeling) Islands: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general

head of government: Administrator (non-resident) William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)

cabinet: NA

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia