村委会 is short for
村民委员会, the lowest-level elected self-governing body in rural China, established under the 1987 Organic Law of Village Committees. Its chair (
村主任) is elected by villagers, in principle giving rural China a grassroots democratic institution; in practice, the parallel
村党支部 (village Party branch) often holds more real power. The urban analogue is the
居委会 (residents' committee).
