Reform hailed for tackling inefficiency, but doubts remain
The government's restructuring plan has received a mixed reaction from members of the country's top legislature and main political advisory body.
They spoke highly of the establishment of a full cabinet-level energy regulatory body and the elevation of the environmental watchdog to ministry status, but said it remained to be seen if the announced reform plan would make a real difference in cutting bureaucracy.
Niu Wenyuan, chief scientist in the Chinese Academy of Sciences' sustainable development strategy research team, said the plan was just the first step in a long journey of streamlining the government, with many pressing issues and problems yet to be addressed.
'Bigger ministries are not simply putting different departments together,' said Professor Niu, also a delegate to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
'It means increased ability to co-ordinate and reorganise, as well as improved efficiency. The goal of the governmental reform is one plus one equals more than two.'
Wang Ming, a sociologist at Tsinghua University and a CPPCC delegate, said the ministries and departments affected by the reform pointed to the government's future priorities. But he also said the plan failed to set up an effective mechanism to monitor the ballooning power of the mega ministries.
Ji Baocheng, president of Beijing's Renmin University and a National People's Congress deputy, welcomed the plan but said there had been too much government restructuring since 1949.
'The direction of the reform is absolutely right, but it remains to be seen if it is a feasible and scientific plan,' Professor Ji said.
'Government structure should be kept relatively stable with the restructuring of individual departments happening from time to time. We have seen too many rounds of revamping and drastic changes.'
Health Minister Chen Zhu and a former deputy minister, Wang Longde, hailed the revamp, which saw the creation of a mega health ministry, as a step forward.
'I think it's a good thing for the general development of the nation. But we feel great pressure and responsibility. As you know, food and drug safety is a very sensitive issue,' Dr Chen said.
Noting the scandal-plagued drug watchdog was part of the ministry years ago, Mr Wang said it was logical for it to be merged into the health ministry.
Mr Wang, a former Aids chief, suggested that the ministry should take over the responsibility of controlling infectious diseases, in the next stage of reform.
Professor Niu said the establishment of the National Energy Commission, rather than an energy ministry as speculated, was a better solution for the country's energy policies and supplies.
'A ministerial-level body could hardly manage the whole process of energy production, consumption and transport. The new commission has much better co-ordination abilities,' he said.
He said it was regrettable that the Ministry of Railways was not included in the new ministry of transport.
He said experts felt the railways should be included in the ministry. 'But it did not happen because of the quasi-military structure of the railway ministry,' he said.
