Opinion | China's government restructure won't succeed without limits on state power
Hu Shuli says the laudable aim to rationalise the government's role must in the end help China build up its market economy and civil society
After months of speculation, the reorganisation of China's State Council has finally been approved by the National People's Congress.
Under the shake-up, China's rail business will no longer be managed by the regulator. Three national agencies will be formed or beefed up - on health and family planning; food safety; and media and publication. Two others, the National Energy Administration and the National Oceanic Administration, also saw their scope expanded. These changes, as well as the members of the new cabinet, are a matter of great public concern, given their impact on China's development.
The reorganisation is notable for several reasons.
First, it is primarily a response to "some long-standing, prominent social problems", as Vice-Premier Ma Kai put it in the blueprint for the overhaul. It also sought to address issues of public concern, including rail operations, health care, and food and drug safety.
Problems in these areas have become prominent as China has developed; some are serious, needing urgent attention. Apart from the railway problems, which were a legacy of the planned economy, the rest emerged after the country undertook market reforms.
Second, the overhaul seeks incremental rather than drastic change. It streamlined functions without upsetting vested interests. This is clear from the names of the new or newly expanded agencies.