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Which institution will carry the major responsibilities while the Congress is in session, and which institution will carry the major responsibilities while the Congress is not in session?

When the National Party Congress is in session, the Presidium of Congress is the leading authority in charge of the functional operations of the meeting. Once a list of candidate names has been defined, following repeated discussions and examination of those nominated by the previous Party committee or various delegations, members are elected by a show of hands.

The Presidium is made up of a secretary-general, vice secretary-general and several standing committee members. The secretary-general is selected by a show of hands at the preparatory meeting of the Congress, while the standing committee members and vice secretary-generals are selected by a show of hands at the first meeting of the Presidium which is chaired by the secretary-general.

The post of Congress Executive Chairman is occupied by each Presidium member in turn. The tasks of the Presidium include: chairing the Congress according to the meeting's agenda; organizing reports and discussions at the meeting; chairing electoral procedures at the meeting; and organizing delegates to discuss and pass the decisions through the Congress.

The new Central Committee elected by the Congress becomes the highest leading authority of the CPC when the National Congress of the Party is not in session. It implements the decisions of the National Congress, exercises leadership over all Party operations and represents the Communist Party of China when dealing in foreign affairs. The Presidium ceases to be the leading authority once the Congress is no longer in session.

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