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Central‐local relations in the people's Republic of China: Trends, processes and impacts for policy implementation

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  • Linda Chelan Li

Abstract

Central–local relations are a matter of great importance to developmentalists because they highlight an intriguing puzzle in public administration especially in large states: how policies decided at higher echelons of the formal system can possibly be implemented by the multitude of intermediary and local actors across the system. In the case of China—the most populous nation in the world, the contrast between the authoritarian façade of the Chinese regime and yet the proliferation of implementation gaps over many policy arenas adds additional complexity to the puzzle. This article reviews changes in central–local relations in the 60 years of history of People's Republic of China (PRC) as the outcome of four co‐evolving processes, and clarifies the roles of each process: state building and national integration, development efficiency, career advancement and external influences. It points out the continuous pre‐dominance of administrative decentralization from 1950s to present time, and the new emphasis on institutionalized power sharing in the context of new state‐market boundaries since 1980s. In conclusion, the article suggests going beyond the traditional reliance on the compliance model to understand central–local interactions and the abundant implementation gaps in a context of central–local co‐agency, thereby improving policy implementation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Chelan Li, 2010. "Central‐local relations in the people's Republic of China: Trends, processes and impacts for policy implementation," Public Administration & Development, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 30(3), pages 177-190, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:padxxx:v:30:y:2010:i:3:p:177-190
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaobo Su, 2013. "From Frontier to Bridgehead: Cross-border Regions and the Experience of Yunnan, China," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 1213-1232, July.
    2. Xiao Tan & Lei Yu, 2022. "Has recentralisation improved equality? Primary care infrastructure development in China," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(2), pages 115-133, May.
    3. Daniel Béland & Philip Rocco & Shih-Jiunn Shi & Alex Waddan, 2018. "Paths to (de)centralization: Changing territorial dynamics of social policy in the People’s Republic of China and the United States," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 36(5), pages 897-915, August.
    4. Fan, Shuangrui & Wang, Cong, 2021. "Firm age, ultimate ownership, and R&D investments," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1245-1264.
    5. Goess, Simon & de Jong, Martin & Ravesteijn, Wim, 2015. "What makes renewable energy successful in China? The case of the Shandong province solar water heater innovation system," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 684-696.
    6. Huang, Yanfen & Zhang, Chao & Liu, Wei, 2019. "Who drives the formation and adoption of the "increasing versus decreasing balance policy"?—Evidence from a policy process analysis," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 175-184.
    7. Zhou, Changchang & Chan, Roger C.K., 2022. "State-scalar politics of rural land reform in China: The case of Wujin district," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    8. Yin, Shian, 2024. "Investigating local policy responses to support care-experienced young people in China – A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).

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