Streamlining government

The just unveiled plan to reshuffle State Council agencies may not be as broad or thorough as some anticipated, but even with some apparently "interim" arrangements, it is a welcome move.

This rearrangement addresses some of the public's outstanding concerns - most noticeably food safety and the "independent kingdom" of the railways.

Starting with such prominent targets for public dissatisfaction may bring dual rewards. On one hand, it meets public expectations, delivering the reassuring message of reform-minded leadership. On the other hand, the corresponding public discourse, which has covered almost all the variables involved, can be a ready source of wisdom for the reform planners.