Downsize government to raise efficiency

Authorities should first reform the government's functions and restrict civil servants' privileges to create efficiency, according to a China Business News column (excerpts below).

To streamline the government and improve its efficiency, the State Council required some newly established government departments to clarify each civil servant's responsibilities and stabilize the number of employees.

The government has carried out similar reforms several times since 1980s but the problem has become much more serious. Some civil servants were reportedly spending several hours a day playing online games in Guangdong province, according to local disciplinary authority.

Being a civil servant means having a stable job with a good salary, high social status and ideal welfare. Local governments take on a lot of responsibilities that should be viewed according to international conventions.

But if the central government really wants to make the Chinese government "lose weight", the government must first transform China's economic growth model and upgrade its industrial structure.

Judicial authorities must also strengthen the supervision over civil servants.