China to launch revamp with merged ministries

[FT_news]

The annual session of the top legislative body will discuss long-term structural reform of government by streamlining adminstration to cut meddling by local bureaucrats

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[Law200]

China will launch a shake-up of government at the annual session of its top legislative body, with the formation of “super-ministries” intended to streamline administration and reduce meddling by minor bureaucrats in state businesses.

The long-term structural reform of government will be discussed alongside more urgent tasks facing China’s leadership – in particular, the battle against inflation, now at an 11-year high.

Wen Jiabao, the premier, will open the National People’s Congress with his annual “state of the union” speech on Wednesday, in which he will outline the administrative reforms and the government’s policy priorities for the year.

In the wake of the ruling Communist party congress last year, which selected the leadership for the next five years, the NPC will also usher newly promoted officials into their formal posts.

The government has yet to announce the make-up of the new ministries but officials and scholars in Beijing said the focus would be on streamlining those dealing with transport, industry, energy, telecommunications and the environment.

“The idea of ‘big ministries’ stems from Chinese leaders’ wish to ensure directives passed by party and state authorities in the capital will be enforced by local-level administrations, which are skilled at diluting Beijing’s instructions,” said Jörg Wuttke, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Beijing.