What about the State Council’s institutional reform plan?

On March 13, the State Council’s institutional reform plan was submitted to the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress for review. According to the plan, after the reform, the number of ministerial-level agencies of the State Council will be reduced by 8, and the number of deputy-ministerial-level agencies will be reduced by 7. In addition to the General Office of the State Council, the State Council will have 26 constituent departments. The specific adjustments are as follows:

1. Adjustments to the departments of the State Council

1. Establish the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Ministry of Land and Resources, the State Oceanic Administration, and the National Bureau of Surveying, Mapping and Geographic Information will no longer be retained.

2. Establish the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

The Department of Environmental Protection will no longer be retained.

3. Establish the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The Department of Agriculture is no longer retained.

4. Establish the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The Ministry of Culture and the National Tourism Administration will no longer be retained.

5. Establish a National Health Commission.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission will no longer be retained. The Office of the State Council Leading Group for Deepening the Reform of the Medical and Health System will no longer be established.

6. Establish the Department of Veterans Affairs.

7. Establish an emergency management department.

The State Administration of Work Safety will no longer be retained.

8. Reorganize the Ministry of Science and Technology.

9. Reorganize the Ministry of Justice.

The Legal Affairs Office of the State Council will no longer be retained.

10. Optimize the responsibilities of the Ministry of Water Resources.

The Three Gorges Project Construction Committee of the State Council and its office, and the South-to-North Water Diversion Project Construction Committee of the State Council and its office will no longer be retained.

11. Optimize the responsibilities of the Audit Office.

Boards of supervisors for key state-owned enterprises will no longer be established.

12. The Ministry of Supervision will be merged into the newly established National Supervisory Commission.

The Ministry of Supervision and the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention will no longer be retained.

After the reform, in addition to the General Office of the State Council, the State Council has 26 departments.

2. Adjustments to other agencies of the State Council

1. Establish the State Administration for Market Regulation.

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, and the State Food and Drug Administration will no longer be retained.

2. Establish the State Administration of Radio and Television.

The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television will no longer be retained.

3. Establish the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission will no longer be retained.

4. Establish the National International Development Cooperation Agency.

5. Establish the National Medical Security Administration.

6. Establish the National Grain and Material Reserve Bureau.

The National Grain Administration will no longer be retained.

7. Establish the National Immigration Administration.

8. Establish the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

The State Forestry Administration will no longer be retained.

9. Reorganize the State Intellectual Property Office.

10. Adjust the affiliation of the National Council for Social Security Fund.

11. Reform the national and local tax collection and management systems. Merge national and local tax agencies at provincial and sub-provincial levels.

The adjustment and establishment of institutions affiliated to the State Council other than the constituent departments of the State Council will be reviewed and approved by the newly formed State Council.