China introduces seven-day policy rule after Premier Li Keqiang criticises delays
Complex bureaucracy revealed as State Council’s General Office seeks comments on new regulation from 87 government departments in a single day
China has just introduced a rule requiring ministries to issue policies within seven days of State Council approval following Premier Li Keqiang’s criticism of officials delaying government measures.
Mainland media said the State Council’s General Office – the government’s secretariat – had sought comments on the new regulation from 87 government departments in a single day.
Such an undertaking helps to shed light on the extremely complex level of bureaucracy that goes on behind the high walls of the Zhongnanhai government compound.
Analysts said that the new measures would solve only the “first kilometre” of the huge problem of implementing central government policies.
The new directive, issued by the cabinet on Wednesday, means policy documents approved at executive meetings must be issued within seven days. Those that need significant modifications should be issued within 10 days.
After the executive meeting’s decision, the ministry – which takes the lead in drafting the document – must make the necessary amendments and ensure it has been countersigned by all relevant departments and then delivered to the State Council within three days.