Restructuring of system to improve governance

The Shanghai municipal government has drafted a program for a reshuffle of its administrative organs after the State Council pushed for a "super ministries" campaign in March following the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

On Oct 21, the Shanghai municipal government unveiled a detailed reform package, reducing the number of its government departments to 44 from the previous 45. In the new program, the government lineup consists of the general office, 23 departments and 21 subordinate organs. Also, another six management bodies are to be set up. The package signals Shanghai's formal launch of a new round of administrative restructuring.

In the largest such move since 2003, Shanghai, the country's eastern economic hub, is the first local government to launch a new round of department reconstruction after getting a nod from the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.