By Zhao Shukai, research fellow and vice-director-general of Information Center, DRC

Date:2004/11/25

Abstract：

A survey of 20 towns in 10 provinces (Districts)

The township is an integrated institution of the Party committee and the government. There is a high concentration of power in the hands of the secretary of the Party committee, but the power structure of the township government is incomplete. The township government lacks autonomy in the management of its own personnel, and its immediate authorities take away the substance of its power as a governing body. In the mean time, the higher authorities still want it to carry out extremely difficult missions. The township government is bearing a burden that is beyond its capability. In general, although the misconduct of township government can often be attributed to the professional qualities of its cadres, it is the entire structure of the government that needs to be scrutinized.