This reform was presented on Tuesday to the deputies of Parliament, currently meeting in annual plenary session. Its adoption is hardly in doubt, this parliamentary chamber being subservient to the Communist Party (CCP) in power.
The changes announced in the structure of the government foresee reinforced responsibilities for the Ministry of Science and Technology, which will have to concentrate its efforts on the coordination of “scientific and technological achievements”.
China will also create a National Data Bureau, responsible for managing and promoting the digital economy, while creating the infrastructure necessary for its development.
The reform also provides for staff cuts of 5% in state institutions. Staff will thus be reassigned to “key sectors and important tasks”, according to the reform project.
The reorganization comes as China tries to boost its research and development capabilities in the face of restrictions imposed by the United States and some of its Western allies against Chinese technology companies.
China’s parliament is expected to formally approve the reform on Friday.
In order to concentrate on its priority missions, the Ministry of Science and Technology will be relieved of its responsibilities in terms of rural and social development, which will be entrusted to other ministries.
It will now have to “optimize its management of the entire chain of scientific and technological innovation”, according to the reform project.
The future National Data Bureau will be responsible for “promoting the construction of data infrastructure” and the overall development of the digital economy in China.
The reform also provides for the replacement of the current banking and insurance regulator by a new body which will be responsible for overall supervision of the financial sector.
© 2023 AFP