VI. Improving the Government's Administrative Capacity and Style of Work

    Last year we took some steps toward implementing the Administrative Permission Law, making policy decisions more scientific and democratic, promoting law-based administration and improving social management. We are clearly aware that there is much to be desired in the government's self-improvement efforts. We will earnestly implement the guidelines set forth at the Fourth Plenary Session of the Sixteenth Central Committee and accelerate government self-reform and self-improvement.

    1. Deepening the restructuring of government bodies. To make government bodies more streamlined, unified and efficient and meet the requirements for better coordination in making and implementing policies and doing oversight work, we will improve the structure of government bodies, clarify their functions and bring their staff sizes under strict control. This should put the responsibilities, organizational structure and size of the government on a scientific, standard and legal basis. We must solidify the achievements that have been made in government restructuring and solve new problems promptly. We will speed up restructuring of town and township governments, focusing on rationally defining their functions, simplifying their structure and reducing the number of their employees. We will energetically yet prudently press ahead with the reform of institutions on a type-by-type basis and standardize the way they are granted powers in accordance with the law.

    2. Speeding up the transformation of government functions. We will further separate the functions of government from those of enterprises, state assets management authorities and institutions. We will resolutely transfer responsibility for activities that the government should not be engaged in to enterprises, the market or civic organizations, and maximize the role of civic organizations, industrial associations, chambers of commerce and intermediary agencies. The work that the government should do, it should do well. While effectively regulating the economy and overseeing the market, we need to pay closer attention to social management and public services by shifting more financial, material and other public resources to these areas and having leaders devote more energy to developing social undertakings and building a harmonious society. We will conscientiously implement the Administrative Permission Law. We will continue to deepen the reform of the system of administrative approval, further reduce the number of items requiring administrative approval, and standardize approval procedures.

    3. Improving the methods and means of economic management. We must thoroughly change the traditional ideas and practices of the planned economy. In pursuing economic development, governments at all levels must concentrate on serving market players and creating an environment favorable to their development. They must not make decisions or work to attract business and investment on behalf of enterprises, or directly intervene in their production and business operations. Leading cadres at all levels must enhance their awareness of the importance of guiding and their ability to guide economic work in accordance with the principles of the market economy, to act in accordance with international practices and to regulate economic activities mainly through economic and legal means.