Zhongnanhai is the name of a compound in central Beijing adjacent to the Forbidden City which houses many of the leading politicians and officials in China, together with offices and meeting places of the Chinese Communist Party and other bodies. The term Zhongnanhai (meaning Central South Lake, describing the island-studded lake at the heart of the complex), is often used as shorthand for the Chinese government in much the same way that 'the Kremlin' refers to the Russian Government, 'Westminster' the British and 'the White House' the American.