By Xuan Xiaowei, Department of Development Strategy and Regional Economy, DRC

Research Report No 157, 2015 (Total 4842)

Abstract:

To divide functions and powers between central and local governments according to the range of administrative influence is the major approach applied in the on-going reform. However, in reality, to divide functions and powers between central and local governments should be made in light of historical process relating to games between relevant parties rather than by abstract principles prior to any practical analysis. Therefore, the present reform approach towards the division of functions and powers between central and local governments should be adjusted. First, more efforts should be focused on the means to achieve the result of functions and powers division than on the result itself. Second, more emphasis should be laid on the way to ensure that functions and powers division is more adaptive to and more in line with the economic and social development and the changes of the times than on the principle under which functions and powers are divided. Third, more concern should be paid to the solution of disagreements on related issues between the central and local governments through a set of standardized procedures and with good maneuverability than to improving balanced functions and powers division between the central and local governments. By so doing judicial adjustment can be introduced to enhance the legal base of functions and powers division between central and local governments.