Better-Functioning Government

China Newsweek March 26

The institutional restructuring plan of the State Council, China’s cabinet, was adopted on March 17 at the First Session of the 13th National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature.

This was the eighth round of institutional reform since the launching of the reform and opening-up drive in the late 1970s. Compared with previous reforms, which focused on streamlining administration and transforming government functions, this round seeks to strengthen the government’s ability to confront new challenges in economic and social management, public service and environmental protection.

Previously, ministerial- and vice-ministerial-level entities under the State Council were divided by industries, but the recent changes attempt to separate different entities by functions. For instance, the newly formed Ministry of Emergency Management combines the disaster relief and prevention roles of several different entities including the State Administration of Work Safety and the China Earthquake Administration. Such restructuring greatly improves the government’s ability to deal with major disasters and accidents.

China’s growing global presence is also reflected in the ongoing reform. For instance, the International Development Cooperation Agency has been established to give full play