BAO’AN announced its institutional reform program regarding Party and government institutions Feb. 12, saying the reform will facilitate the modernization of the district’s governance system and capabilities from a strategic and long-term perspective.

The reform, which must be completed by the end of next month, sets the number of Party and government entities at 32, including 11 Party departments and 21 government agencies. New agencies will be set up to handle issues related to ex-servicemen, public health emergencies and administrative affairs data management. The Bao’an District CPC Committee will also establish a discipline inspection and supervision department.

The move is in response to a requirement by the central authorities that all institutional changes at the central and provincial levels be completed by the end of 2018, and most at the local level be finished by March 2019.

China’s institutional reform was considered as early as 2015. The plan was eventually adopted at the third plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee last February.

The leadership has said the reform would “fundamentally” deal with institutional obstacles to reshape the Party and State structure to fit the long-term development needs of the Party and the State. (SD News)

The reform is {seen as strengthening}{expected to strengthen}?} Party leadership, rule of law, natural resources management, environmental protection, market supervision and cultural sector supervision.(SD News)