Premier's Office (Beijing)

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The Premier's Office is located in a building called Regent Palace (Chinese: 摄政王府). Located in the northwestern corner of Zhongnanhai, the building takes its name from Puyi's regent Zaifeng, Prince Chun who was given the palace in 1909. The Building was not completed by the time the Qing Dynasty ended in 1911. Under the Republic of China, the building was initially the location of the Prime Minister's office and the meeting place of the Cabinet. In 1918 President Xu Shichang switched the President's residence and the Prime Minister's office, relocating his residence to Regent Palace, while the Prime Minister and Cabinet moved to Dianxu Hall in Fortress Garden. When Huairen Hall became the Presidential residence in 1923, Regent Palace became the location of the army and naval department.

After 1949, the People's Republic of China again used the building as the headquarters of the Premier and State Council. During the massive renovation of Zhongnanhai in the late 1970s, plans were made to modernize Regent palace. However, it was found that the quality of the building was very poor, the foundations were loose and the gaps between the wooden columns were filled with broken brick. As a result, the main hall and entrance halls were torn down and rebuilt completely. The State Council's Conference Room Number Four, which is used for meeting with domestic civil society leaders, was built on the north side of Regent Palace close to West Flower Hall. The main meeting place for the State Council is now next door at State Council Hall. Regent Palace nonetheless continues to be the location of the offices of the Premier and Vice Premiers..