# 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 premiers of the Republic of China (Presidents of Executive Yuan) – since 1912
* List of premiers of the People's Republic of China (Premiers of State Council) – since 1949

## 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.
Non-Partisan  Beiyang clique, etc.

### Prime Ministers of Qing Imperial Government

* period: 8 May 1911 – 10 March 1912
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Days | Political party | Emperor |
| 1 | Yikuang (Prince Qing) 慶親王 (1838–1917) | 8 May 1911 | 1 November 1911 | 177 | Non-partisan (Qing dynasty) (The Imperial Family) | Xuantong (Puyi) |
| 2 | Yuan Shikai 袁世凱 Yuán Shìkǎi (1859–1916) | 2 November 1911 | 12 February 1912 | 102 | Beiyang clique | Xuantong (Puyi) |
| 3 | Zhang Xun 張勳 Zhāng Xūn (1854–1923) | 1 July 1917 | 12 July 1917 | 11 | 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)

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. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Days | Political party | President |
| 1 | Tang Shaoyi 唐紹儀 Táng Shàoyí (1862–1938) | 13 March 1912 | 27 June 1912 | 106 | Beiyang clique | Sun Yat-sen Yuan Shikai |
| 2 | Lu Zhengxiang 陸徵祥 Lù Zhēngxiáng (1871–1949) | 29 June 1912 | 22 September 1912 | 56 | Beiyang clique | Yuan Shikai |
| 3 | Zhao Bingjun 趙秉鈞 Zhào Bǐngjūn (1859–1914) | 25 September 1912 | 16 July 1913 | 328 | Beiyang clique | Yuan Shikai |
| — | Duan Qirui 段祺瑞 Duàn Qíruì (1865–1936) | 19 July 1913 | 31 July 1913 | 12 | Beiyang clique | Yuan Shikai |
| 4 | Xiong Xiling 熊希龄 Xióng Xīlíng (1870–1937) | 31 July 1913 | 12 February 1914 | 196 | Beiyang clique | Yuan Shikai |
| — | Sun Baoqi 孫寶琦 Sūn Bǎoqí (1867–1931) | 12 February 1914 | 1 May 1914 | 78 | 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 | Term of office | Days | Political party | Emperor |
| (2) | | Lu Zhengxiang 陸徵祥 Lù Zhēngxiáng (1871–1949) | 22 December 1915 | 22 March 1916 | 91 | 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. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Days | Political party | President |
| 5 | Xu Shichang 徐世昌 Xú Shìchāng (1855–1939) | 1 May 1914 | 21 December 1915 | 599 | Beiyang clique | Yuan Shikai |
| 5 | Xu Shichang 徐世昌 Xú Shìchāng (1855–1939) | 22 March 1916 | 22 April 1916 | 31 | Beiyang clique | Yuan Shikai |
| 6 | Duan Qirui 段祺瑞 Duàn Qíruì (1865–1936) | 22 April 1916 | 29 June 1916 | 68 | Beiyang clique | Yuan Shikai Li Yuanhong |

### Premiers of State Council of the Republic of China

* period: 29 June 1916 – 1 July 1917
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of Office | Term of Office | Days | Political party | President |
| (6) | Duan Qirui 段祺瑞 Duàn Qíruì (1865–1936) | 29 June 1916 | 23 May 1917 | 328 | Progressive | Li Yuanhong |
| — | Wu Tingfang 伍廷芳 Wu Tíngfāng (1842–1922) | 23 May 1917 | 12 June 1917 | 20 | Progressive | Li Yuanhong |
| — | Jiang Chaozong 江朝宗 Jiāng Cháozōng (1861–1943) | 12 June 1917 | 24 June 1917 | 12 | Progressive | Li Yuanhong |
| 7 | Li Jingxi 李經羲 Li Jīngxī (1859–1925) | 25 June 1917 | 2 July 1917 | 7 | Progressive | Li Yuanhong |

### Premiers of State Council of the Republic of China

* period: 14 July 1917 – 24 November 1924
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Days | Political party | President |
| (6) | Duan Qirui 段祺瑞 Duàn Qíruì (1865–1936) | 14 July 1917 | 22 November 1917 | 131 | Anhui clique | Feng Guozhang |
| — | Wang Daxie 汪大燮 Wāng Dàxiè (1860–1929) | 22 November 1917 | 30 November 1917 | 8 | Zhili clique | Feng Guozhang |
| 8 | Wang Shizhen 王士珍 Wáng Shìzhēn (1861–1930) | 30 November 1917 | 20 February 1918 | 82 | Anhui clique | Feng Guozhang |
| — | Qian Nengxun 錢能訓 Qián Néngxun (1869–1924) | 20 February 1918 | 23 March 1918 | 31 | Anhui clique | Feng Guozhang |
| (6) | Duan Qirui 段祺瑞 Duàn Qíruì (1865–1936) | 23 March 1918 | 10 October 1918 | 201 | Anhui clique | Feng Guozhang |
| 9 | Qian Nengxun 錢能訓 Qián Néngxun (1869–1924) | 10 October 1918 | 13 June 1919 | 246 | Anhui clique | Xu Shichang |
| — | Gong Xinzhan 龔心湛 Gōng Xīnzhàn (1871–1943) | 13 June 1919 | 24 September 1919 | 103 | Anhui Clique | Xu Shichang |
| 10 | Jin Yunpeng 靳雲鵬 Jìn Yúnpéng (1877–1951) | 24 September 1919 | 14 May 1920 | 233 | Anhui Clique | Xu Shichang |
| — | Sa Zhenbing 薩鎮冰 Sà Zhènbīng (1859–1952) | 14 May 1920 | 9 August 1920 | 87 | Anhui Clique | Xu Shichang |
| (10) | Jin Yunpeng 靳雲鵬 Jìn Yúnpéng (1877–1951) | 9 August 1920 | 18 December 1921 | 496 | Anhui Clique | Xu Shichang |
| — | W. W. Yan Yan Huiqing 顏惠慶 Yán Huìqìng (1877–1950) | 18 December 1921 | 24 December 1921 | 6 | Zhili Clique | Xu Shichang |
| 11 | Liang Shiyi 梁士詒 Liáng Shìyí (1869–1933) | 24 December 1921 | 25 January 1922 | 32 | Communications Clique | Xu Shichang |
| — | W. W. Yan Yan Huiqing 顏惠慶 Yán Huìqìng (1877–1950) | 25 January 1922 | 8 April 1922 | 73 | Zhili Clique | Xu Shichang |
| — | Zhou Ziqi 周自齊 Zhōu Zìqí (1871–1923) | 8 April 1922 | 11 June 1922 | 64 | Anhui Clique | Xu Shichang Zhou Ziqi (co-serving) |
| 12 | W. W. Yan Yan Huiqing 顏惠慶 Yán Huìqìng (1877–1950) | 12 June 1922 | 5 August 1922 | 54 | Zhili Clique | Li Yuanhong |
| (1) | Tang Shaoyi 唐紹儀 Táng Shàoyí (1862–1938) | 5 August 1922 | 19 September 1922 | 45 | Non-partisan | Li Yuanhong |
| 13 | Wang Chonghui 王寵惠 Wáng Chǒnghuì (1881–1958) | 19 September 1922 | 29 November 1922 | 71 | Non-partisan | Li Yuanhong |
| 14 | Wang Daxie 汪大燮 Wāng Dàxiè (1860–1929) | 29 November 1922 | 11 December 1922 | 12 | Zhili clique | Li Yuanhong |
| — | Wang Zhengting 王正廷 Wáng Zhèngtíng (1882–1961) | 11 December 1922 | 4 January 1923 | 24 | Non-partisan | Li Yuanhong |
| 15 | Zhang Shaozeng 張紹曾 Zhāng Shàozéng (1879–1928) | 4 January 1923 | 13 June 1923 | 160 | Beiyang clique | Li Yuanhong Gao Lingwei |
| — | Gao Lingwei 高凌霨 Gāo Língwèi (1868–1939) | 14 June 1923 | 12 January 1924 | 212 | Non-partisan | Gao Lingwei Cao Kun |
| 16 | Sun Baoqi 孫寶琦 Sūn Bǎoqí (1867–1931) | 12 January 1924 | 2 July 1924 | 172 | Beiyang clique | Cao Kun |
| — | Wellington Koo Koo Vi-kyuin 顧維鈞 Gù Wéijūn (1887–1985) | 2 July 1924 | 14 September 1924 | 74 | Non-partisan | Cao Kun |
| (12) | W. W. Yan Yan Huiqing 顏惠慶 Yán Huìqìng (1877–1950) | 14 September 1924 | 31 October 1924 | 47 | Zhili Clique | Cao Kun |
| — | Huang Fu 黃郛 Huáng Fú (1883–1936) | 31 October 1924 | 24 November 1924 | 24 | 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. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Days | Political party | President |
| 17 | Xu Shiying 許世英 Xǔ Shìyīng (1873–1964) | 26 December 1925 | 4 March 1926 | 68 | Non-partisan | Duan Qirui |
| 18 | Jia Deyao 賈德耀 Jiǎ Déyào (1880–1940) | 4 March 1926 | 20 April 1926 | 47 | Non-partisan | Duan Qirui |
| — | Hu Weide {{large|胡惟德 Hú Wéidé (1863–1933) | 20 April 1926 | 13 May 1926 | 23 | Non-partisan | Hu Weide (co-serving) |
| — | W. W. Yan Yan Huiqing 顏惠慶 Yán Huìqìng (1877–1950) | 13 May 1926 | 22 June 1926 | 40 | Non-partisan | W. W. Yan (co-serving) |
| — | Du Xigui 杜錫珪 Dù Xīguī (1875–1933) | 22 June 1926 | 1 October 1926 | 101 | Non-partisan | Du Xigui (co-serving) |
| 19 | Wellington Koo Koo Vi-kyuin 顧維鈞 Gù Wéijūn (1887–1985) | 1 October 1926 | 16 June 1927 | 258 | Non-partisan | V. K. Wellington Koo (co-serving) |
| — | Hu Weide 胡惟德 Hú Wéidé (1863–1933) | 16 June 1927 | 19 June 1927 | 3 | Non-partisan | Hu Weide (co-serving) |
| 20 | Pan Fu 潘復 Pān Fù (1883–1936) | 20 June 1927 | 3 June 1928 | 349 | Non-partisan | Zhang Zuolin |

### Presidents of Executive Yuan of the Republic of China

* period: 25 October 1928 – 24 May 1948
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Days | Political party | President |
| 21 | Tan Yankai 譚延闓 Tán Yánkǎi (1880–1930) | 25 October 1928 | 22 September 1930 | 697 | 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 1930 | 18 November 1930 | 54 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| 22 | Chiang Kai-shek 蒋中正 Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng (1887–1975) | 18 November 1930 | 15 December 1931 | 392 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek (co-serving) |
| — | Chen Mingshu 陳銘樞 Chén Míngshū (1889–1965) | 15 December 1931 | 1 January 1932 | 17 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| 23 | Sun Fo 孫科 Sūn Kē (1891–1973) | 1 January 1932 | 28 January 1932 | 27 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| 24 | Wang Jingwei 汪兆銘 Wāng Jīngwèi (1883–1944) | 28 January 1932 | 25 August 1932 | 210 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| — | T. V. Soong Soong Tse-ven 宋子文 Sòng Ziwén (1894–1971) | 25 August 1932 | 30 March 1933 | 217 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| (24) | Wang Jingwei 汪兆銘 Wāng Jīngwèi (1883–1944) | 30 March 1933 | 6 November 1935 | 951 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| — | H. H. Kung Kung Hsiang-hsi 孔祥熙 Kǒng Xiángxī (1881–1967) | 6 November 1935 | 7 December 1935 | 31 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| (22) | Chiang Kai-shek 蔣中正 Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng (1887–1975) | 7 December 1935 | 13 December 1936 | 372 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| — | H. H. Kung Kung Hsiang-hsi 孔祥熙 Kǒng Xiángxī (1881–1967) | 13 December 1936 | 6 April 1937 | 114 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| — | Wang Chonghui 王寵惠 Wáng Chǒnghuì (1881–1958) | 6 April 1937 | 29 May 1937 | 53 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| (22) | Chiang Kai-shek 蔣中正 Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng (1887–1975) | 29 May 1937 | 1 January 1938 | 217 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| 25 | H. H. Kung Kung Hsiang-hsi 孔祥熙 Kǒng Xiángxī (1881–1967) | 1 January 1938 | 11 December 1939 | 709 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen |
| (22) | Chiang Kai-shek 蔣中正 Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng (1887–1975) | 11 December 1939 | 31 May 1945 | 1998 | Kuomintang | Lin Sen Chiang Kai-shek (co-serving) |
| 26 | T. V. Soong 宋子文 Sòng Ziwén (1894–1971) | 31 May 1945 | 1 March 1947 | 639 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| — | Chiang Kai-shek 蔣中正 Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng (1887–1975) | 1 March 1947 | 23 April 1947 | 53 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| 27 | Zhang Qun 張群 Zhāng Qún (1889–1990) | 23 April 1947 | 29 May 1948 | 402 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |

### Presidents of Executive Yuan of the Republic of China

* period: 24 May 1948 – present
| No. | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Days | Political party | President |
| 28 | Weng Wenhao 翁文灝 Wēng Wénhào (1889–1971) | 29 May 1948 | 23 December 1948 | 208 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| (23) | Sun Fo 孫科 Sūn Kē (1891–1973) | 23 December 1948 | 24 March 1949 | 91 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek Li Zongren |
| 29 | He Yingqin 何應欽 Hé Yìngqīn (1890–1987) | 24 March 1949 | 13 June 1949 | 81 | Kuomintang | Li Zongren |
| 30 | Yan Xishan 閻錫山 Yán Xíshān (1883–1960) | 13 June 1949 | 15 March 1950 | 275 | Kuomintang | Li Zongren (acting) Yan Xishan (acting) Chiang Kai-shek |
| Government retreated to Taiwan in his term. |||||
| 31 | Chen Cheng 陳誠 Chén Chéng (1897–1965) | 15 March 1950 | 1 June 1954 | 1539 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| 32 | Yu Hung-Chun 俞鴻鈞 Yú Hóngjūn (1897–1960) | 1 June 1954 | 15 July 1958 | 1505 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| (31) | Chen Cheng 陳誠 Chén Chéng (1897–1965) | 15 July 1958 | 16 December 1963 | 1980 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| — | Wang Yun-wu 王雲五 Wáng Yúnwǔ (1888–1979) | 1 July 1963 | 16 September 1963 | 77 | Non-partisan | Chiang Kai-shek |
| 33 | C. K. Yen Yen Chia-kan 嚴家淦 Yán Jiāgàn (1905–1993) | 16 December 1963 | 1 June 1972 | 3090 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek |
| 34 | Chiang Ching-kuo 蔣經國 Jiǎng Jīngguó (1910–1988) | 1 June 1972 | 20 May 1978 | 2179 | Kuomintang | Chiang Kai-shek C. K. Yen Chiang Ching-kuo (co-serving) |
| — | Hsu Ching-chung 徐慶鐘 Xú Qìngzhōng (1907–1996) | 20 May 1978 | 1 June 1978 | 12 | Kuomintang | Chiang Ching-kuo |
| 35 | Sun Yun-suan 孫運璿 Sūn Yùnxuán (1913–2006) | 1 June 1978 | 24 February 1984 | 2094 | Kuomintang | Chiang Ching-kuo |
| — | Chiu Chuang-huan 邱創煥 Qīu Chuànghuàn (1925–2020) | 24 February 1984 | 1 June 1984 | 98 | Kuomintang | Chiang Ching-kuo |
| 36 | Yu Kuo-hwa 俞國華 Yú Guóhuá (1914–2000) | 1 June 1984 | 1 June 1989 | 1826 | Kuomintang | Chiang Ching-kuo Lee Teng-hui |
| 37 | Lee Huan 李煥 Lǐ Huàn (1917–2010) | 1 June 1989 | 1 June 1990 | 365 | Kuomintang | Lee Teng-hui |
| 38 | Hau Pei-tsun 郝柏村 Hǎo Bócūn (1919–2020) | 1 June 1990 | 27 February 1993 | 1002 | Kuomintang | Lee Teng-hui |
| 39 | Lien Chan 連戰 Lián Zhàn (born 1936) | 27 February 1993 | 1 September 1997 | 1647 | Kuomintang | Lee Teng-hui |
| 40 | Vincent Siew Siew Wan-chang 蕭萬長 Xiāo Wàncháng (born 1939) | 1 September 1997 | 20 May 2000 | 992 | Kuomintang | Lee Teng-hui |
| 41 | Tang Fei 唐飛 Táng Fēi (born 1932) | 20 May 2000 | 6 October 2000 | 139 | Kuomintang | Chen Shui-bian |
| 42 | Chang Chun-hsiung 張俊雄 Zhāng Jùnxióng (born 1938) | 6 October 2000 | 1 February 2002 | 483 | Democratic Progressive | Chen Shui-bian |
| First non-KMT premier. |||||
| 43 | Yu Shyi-kun 游錫堃 Yóu Xíkūn (born 1948) | 1 February 2002 | 1 February 2005 | 1096 | Democratic Progressive | Chen Shui-bian |
| 44 | Frank Hsieh Hsieh Chang-ting 謝長廷 Xiè Chángtíng (born 1946) | 1 February 2005 | 25 January 2006 | 358 | Democratic Progressive | Chen Shui-bian |
| 45 | Su Tseng-chang 蘇貞昌 Sū Zhēnchāng (born 1947) | 25 January 2006 | 21 May 2007 | 481 | Democratic Progressive | Chen Shui-bian |
| (42) | Chang Chun-hsiung 張俊雄 Zhāng Jùnxióng (born 1938) | 21 May 2007 | 20 May 2008 | 365 | Democratic Progressive | Chen Shui-bian |
| Second premiership. |||||
| 46 | Liu Chao-shiuan 劉兆玄 Liú Zhàoxuán (born 1943) | 20 May 2008 | 10 September 2009 | 478 | Kuomintang | Ma Ying-jeou |
| 47 | Wu Den-yih 吳敦義 Wú Dūnyì (born 1948) | 10 September 2009 | 6 February 2012 | 879 | Kuomintang | Ma Ying-jeou |
| 48 | Sean Chen Chen Chun {{large|陳冲 Chén Chōng (born 1949) | 6 February 2012 | 18 February 2013 | 378 | Kuomintang | Ma Ying-jeou |
| 49 | Jiang Yi-huah 江宜樺 Jiāng Yīhuá (born 1960) | 18 February 2013 | 8 December 2014 | 658 | Kuomintang | Ma Ying-jeou |
| Youngest premier to take office. |||||
| 50 | Mao Chi-kuo 毛治國 Máo Zhìguó (born 1948) | 8 December 2014 | 1 February 2016 | 420 | Kuomintang | Ma Ying-jeou |
| 51 | Chang San-cheng 張善政 Zhāng Shànzhèng (born 1954) | 1 February 2016 | 20 May 2016 | 109 | Non-partisan | Ma Ying-jeou |
| First non-partisan premier. First administration with a DPP legislative majority. |||||
| 52 | Lin Chuan 林全 Lín Quán (born 1951) | 20 May 2016 | 8 September 2017 | 476 | Non-partisan | Tsai Ing-wen |
| 53 | Lai Ching-te William Lai 賴清德 Lài Qīngdé (born 1959) | 8 September 2017 | 14 January 2019 | 493 | Democratic Progressive | Tsai Ing-wen |
| (45) | Su Tseng-chang 蘇貞昌 Sū Zhēnchāng (born 1949) | 14 January 2019 | 31 January 2023 | 1478 | Democratic Progressive | Tsai Ing-wen |
| Second premiership. |||||
| 54 | Chen Chien-jen 陳建仁 Chén Jiànrén (born 1951) | 31 January 2023 | 20 May 2024 | 475 | Democratic Progressive | Tsai Ing-wen |
| 55 | Cho Jung-tai 卓榮泰 Zhuó Róngtài (born 1958) | 20 May 2024 | Incumbent | 249 | Democratic Progressive | Lai Ching-te |

## List of premiers of the PRC (since 1949)

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

### Generations of leadership

First Administration  Second Administration  Third Administration  Hu–Wen Administration  Xi–Li Administration
| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) Constituency | Term of office | Term of office | 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 |
| 1 | Zhou Enlai 周恩来 (1898–1976) Beijing At-large | 15 September 1954 | 18 April 1959 | 26 years, 99 days | I | Zhou II |
| 1 | Zhou Enlai 周恩来 (1898–1976) Beijing At-large | 18 April 1959 | 21 December 1964 | 26 years, 99 days | II | Zhou III |
| 1 | Zhou Enlai 周恩来 (1898–1976) Beijing At-large | 21 December 1964 | 4 January 1975 | 26 years, 99 days | III | Zhou IV |
| 1 | Zhou Enlai 周恩来 (1898–1976) Beijing At-large | 4 January 1975 | 8 January 1976† | 26 years, 99 days | 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) |
| 2 | Hua Guofeng 华国锋 (1921–2008) Hunan At-large | 7 April 1976 | 5 March 1978 | 4 years, 219 days | IV | Hua I |
| 2 | Hua Guofeng 华国锋 (1921–2008) Hunan At-large | 5 March 1978 | 10 September 1980§ | 4 years, 219 days | V | Hua II |
| Two Whatevers, Tiananmen incident of 1976, 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) |
| 3 | Zhao Ziyang 赵紫阳 (1919–2005) Beijing At-large | 6 June 1983 | 24 November 1987§ | 7 years, 75 days | VI | Zhao |
| Chinese economic reform, Sino-British Joint Declaration, Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration, Tiananmen Square protests and massacre 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) |
| 4 | Li Peng 李鹏 (1928–2019) Beijing At-large | 25 March 1988 | 15 March 1993 | 10 years, 113 days | VII | Li P. I |
| 4 | Li Peng 李鹏 (1928–2019) Beijing At-large | 15 March 1993 | 17 March 1998 | 10 years, 113 days | VIII | Li P. II |
| Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Three Gorges Dam, Handover of Hong Kong Offices: Chairman of State Education Commission (1985–1988), Vice Premier (1983–1987) |||||
| 5 | Zhu Rongji 朱镕基 (born 1928) Hunan At-large | 17 March 1998 | 16 March 2003 | 4 years, 364 days | IX | Zhu |
| Handover of Macau, accession to the World Trade Organization Offices: Mayor of Shanghai (1987–1991), Governor of the People's Bank of China (1993–1995), First-ranking Vice Premier (1993–1998) |||||
| 6 | Wen Jiabao 温家宝 (born 1942) Gansu At-large | 16 March 2003 | 16 March 2008 | 9 years, 364 days | X | Wen I |
| 6 | Wen Jiabao 温家宝 (born 1942) Gansu At-large | 16 March 2008 | 15 March 2013 | 9 years, 364 days | XI | Wen II |
| SARs outbreak, Anti-Secession Law, H5N1 avian flu outbreak, 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo Offices: Vice Premier (1998–2003) |||||
| 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. |
| 7 | Li Keqiang 李克强 (1955–2023) Shandong At-large (until 2018)Guangxi At-large (from 2018) | 18 March 2018 | 11 March 2023 | 9 years, 361 days | XIII | Li K. |
| 2014 Ludian earthquake, H7N9 avian flu outbreak, COVID-19 pandemic, Beijing Winter Olympics Offices: Governor of Henan (1998-2003), First-ranking Vice Premier (2008–2013) |||||
| 8 | Li Qiang 李强 (born 1958) Yunnan At-large | 11 March 2023 | Incumbent | 1 year, 319 days | XIV | Li Q. |
| Offices: Governor of Zhejiang (2012–2016) |||||