The minister of finance of the People's Republic of China is the head of the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China and a member of the State Council. Within the State Council, the position is twelfth in order of precedence. The minister is responsible for leading the ministry, presiding over its meetings, and signing important documents related to the ministry. Officially, the minister is nominated by the premier of the State Council, who is then approved by the National People's Congress or its Standing Committee and appointed by the president.