Highest organ of the state, elected in accordance with the principles of democratic centralism (q. V. ). As of 1987, six congresses had been held, the first (1954), second (1959), third (1965), fourth (1975), fifth (1978), and sixth (1982), the seventh was scheduled for 1988; annual sessions were held most years except during the Cultural Revolution (q. V. ). The Standing Committee is the permanent organ of the National People's Congress and functions between annual sessions.