Chapter Four. Towards Good Government: Thirty Years Of Administrative Reforms In China

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief analysis of 30 years of administrative reforms in China, from an academic viewpoint and based on observations. The administrative reforms discussed here refer to reforms of the state administrative system with government administrative organizations at the core. The administrative reforms in China have not only involved rethinking and reformulating ideas, but also changes at the level of systems and mechanisms. Recognizing that China's modernization drive and the reforms and opening had entered a new phase, the Chinese government made the strategic decision to build a harmonious socialist society. The transformation of government administration from one stressing control to one stressing service not only touches on new concepts of government administration, a reorientation of the way government behaves, and the redefinition of administrative norms, it also includes changes to government functions and institutions, as well as changes to administrative models, methods and operating mechanisms. Keywords: China's administrative reforms; China's modernization; Chinese government; Government Institutional Reforms