The CCP decides all major issues and controls access to and advancement in the political system. In short, the party dominates and monopolizes political power in China, and therefore China is often called a party-state.the Chinese formally treat party affairs as internal matters and feel little obligation to make party organization, structure, processes, and decisions transparent, especially to foreigners. Even basic information about the average ages, educational backgrounds, and other characteristics of the membership of the party as a whole are only released in conjunction with a National Party Congress every five years. But many of the decisions ostensibly taken and publicly announced by state or other public bodies in fact reflect prior determinations reached by the pertinent bodies in the party itself. And despite the many decisions that have effectively reduced the scope of political activity under the reforms, the party prohibits any autonomous political organization that might challenge its power and prerogatives.