Overseas media: institutional restructuring to help Chinese gov´t better meet social, economic challenges

Source: Xinhua | 03-12-2008 09:11

BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Overseas media have paid close attention to an institutional restructuring plan by the Chinese government, saying the planned reform will not only better prepare the country for meeting social and economic challenges but also have international influence.

Lawmakers at the fourth plenary meeting of the First Session of China's 11th National People's Congress (NPC) deliberated a State Council proposal Tuesday for government reform, which involves the installation of "super ministries" responsible for energy, transportation, industries and environmental protection.

The Los Angeles Times reported that "instead of a dry exercise in government restructuring, this effort could have global implications, particularly if it pushes China to become more energy efficient."

The Wall Street Journal reported that the reform is the biggest in China for nearly a decade and will help the country better cope with problems in the energy sector as well as perform better in environmental protection and financial reforms.

The Australian, the largest newspaper in Australia, said restructuring State Council departments will be high on the agenda for the NPC session. It added that the creation of "super-ministries" that absorb existing ministries and agencies will be favorable for integrating resources and improving efficiency and is a new step taken by China toward modernization.

Mainstream media in Germany also paid close attention to China's streamlining exercise. Suddeutsche Zeitung and Deutsche Welle said in Chinese leaders realized the necessity for structural reform.

The Le Monde newspaper in France reported that China's leadership plans to restructure and streamline State Council departments to ensure that they play a more effective role in realizing the harmonious development of the market economy along with society and the environment.

The DPA reported that China's parliament session Tuesday announced a government restructuring plan to improve the efficiency and would vote on the issue.

Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported that China's master plan on administrative and regulatory institutional reforms draws up ways and methods to transform government functions by 2020.

It also demonstrates China's determination to accelerate the transformation of government functions and deepen the reforms of government institutions.

Latvia's News Today newspaper reported that the NPC will work out a series of strategies for the country's economic development and reform government institutions.

This will determine the direction and models of China's development for the next 10 years, the newspaper added.

South Korean daily Choson Ilbo said that the plan for the reform of the institutions of China's State Council which will be approved in the 11th National People's Congress was worth watching closely.

Other overseas media including the Japanese Daily Yomiuri, the Mongolian newspaper Unian and Malaysia's Nanyang Siang Pau also paid great attention to the reforms of China's government institutions.

Editor:Zhang Ning