1961 in China

Incumbents

• Chairman of the Communist Party of China – Mao Zedong
• President of the People's Republic of China – Liu Shaoqi
• Premier of the People's Republic of China – Zhou Enlai
• Chairman of the National People's Congress – Zhu De
• Vice President of the People's Republic of China – Soong Ching-ling and Dong Biwu
• Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China – Chen Yun

  Events

• until February 9 - Campaign at the China–Burma border
• July 11 - Signing of the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty
• Continuing Great Chinese Famine

  Other events

• Establishment of the Logistical Engineering University of PLA, in Chongqing
• Establishment of Oil Worker's Children Middle School, in Ranghulu District, Daqing, Heilongjiang

  Sports

• April 5 to April 14 - 1961 World Table Tennis Championships