Zhongnanhai (Beijing) | national government / government, presidential palace, quarter (urban subdivision)

 national government / government, presidential palace, quarter (urban subdivision)

Zhongnanhai [Zhong Nan Hai], which translates as the Central and Southern Seas.
Since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, Zhongnanhai has been home to the highest ranking members of the Communist Party. Offices of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the State Council, the Central People's Government and the Military Commission of the Party Central Committee are located here.
Zhongnanhai is the southern part of a chain of lakes and a garden-palace complex. There are a number of access gates in the vermilion walls that surround the huge rectangular precinct, with the main entrance on Changan Avenue west of Tiananmen Square. Beyond the wall is a vast expanse of water, known as the South Sea. Skirting the lake toward the north is an ornamental island, Yingtai, or Ocean Terrace. The Palace Steeped in Compassion (Huairentang) has been rebuilt for party and government meetings. Further north is the Throne Hall of the Effulgent Pole-star (Ziguangge), which once was used to receive barbarian tributaries. For the past half-century, it has been a reception hall for visiting foreign dignitaries. Many of the most momentous decisions of the party leadership have been made here.