2000 Chinese general elections

General elections were held in China, on April 6, 2000, as required by the constitution.Voting took places in all constituencies in order to elect members to the National People’s congress. Incumbent Premier Zhu Rongji lost re-election. This is also the first political party rotation in Chinese history.

With 38.75% of the total votes, New Millennium Democrats (NMD) led by Wen Jiabao, won a solid victory and emerged as the largest party. The ruling CDP suffered a major failure and their worst ever result with 17.9%, a significant decline from 42% in 1995 Chinese general elections. The centre-right Solidarity Alliance, which received 29% of the vote and performed well in rural and minority areas, while the Socialist Party (China) made significant gains and finished at 6.7%. Democratic For People, founded by pro-democracy activist Liu Xiaobo, won 5% of the votes. With no single party winning a majority, the Constitutional Democracy Party led by the current premier, Zhu Rongji. Have emerged as a potential kingmaker. But after several rounds of negotiations, the CDP withdrew. Finally, on June, 12, President Zhao Ziyang used emergency powers appointed Wen Jiabao to lead the new government. Subsequently, the Wen Jiabao administration obtained the support of Democratic For People. Wen Jiabao and his cabinet took the oath of office on June 26.