Introduction of China Society of Administrative Reform

China Society of Administrative Reform (CSOAR) is a national non-profit academic organization set up in April 2010 upon the approval of leaders from the State Council and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The president of CSOAR is Wei Liqun, former minister of the Research Office of the State Council and former secretary of Party Committee of the Chinese Academy of Governance. Chinese Academy of Governance (CAG) is the competent business unit of CSOAR.

The mission of CSOAR is: holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, following the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, and carrying out the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development with building first-rated think tank with Chinese characteristics as its goal; firmly focusing the central tasks of the Party and the State, studying major theoretical and practical issues concerning administrative reform and innovations in governance; and providing theoretical support and policy-making consulting for the establishment of a sound socialist administrative system with Chinese characteristics, and raising the level of scientific government construction, and realizing the goal of a service-oriented, modern government.

During the past seven years since its establishment, CSOAR carried out its work tightly around the center, served the overall situation. First, it organized and conducted the study of a series of major issues, including major subjects instructed by central government leaders, major subjects supported by the Administrative Reform Research Fund and major subjects commissioned by related national ministers and commissions, local governments, enterprises and institutions, and gained a batch of influential research achievements. More than 60 research reports won important written instructions from leaders of the Party and the central government. Many subject research achievements have provided important reference for the decision-making of the central government. Second, it built some relatively influential brands. It successfully held six sessions of the China Administrative Reform Forum. Each session attracted many political leaders and famous experts and scholars to discuss and give suggestions focusing on the hot and difficult issues of administrative system reform. Each year, a roundup story on the forum will be published in the People’s Daily, winning a positive social response. It sponsored or jointly sponsored more than 20 important themed seminars. Many results from the seminars won the attention and gained written instructions from the leaders of the Party and the central government. The impact of the blue book serial brands is gradually expanding. The Blue Book on Administrative System Reform has been published for six years in consecutive. The Blue Book on Social Institutional Reform has been published for five years in a row, producing great impact in the theoretical and practical circles and the society. Third, it set up several professional platforms. CSOAR explored multi-aspect business development fields. In particular, it successfully launched its own journal Administrative Reform Reference, providing a good platform for the academic exchange and subject research of CSOAR. The publication is both a window to display the image of CSOAR and an arena for business development of CSOAR and even an important reliance for setting up first-rated think tank in future. CSOAR set up the Chinese and English language website, ran some internal publications such as News Journal, Administrative Reform Website Digest, providing an information and academic exchange platform for the council members. Four, it expanded the foreign cooperative exchanges. It paid high attention to the domestic and foreign exchanges, actively participated in international academic exchanges and cooperation, sponsored or participated in many international academic conferences and international projects. In 2011, CSOAR became a member of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences and International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration. Currently, it has set up ties with more than 20 foreign (overseas) renowned academic institutions including the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, Brookings Institution of the US, American Society for Public Administration, École nationale d’administration, and German Research Institute for Public Administration Speyer to conduct exchange and cooperation, further strengthening its international influence. At the same time, it actively strengthened contacts with domestic universities, societies and research associations to explore ways and mechanism of cooperation to promote mutual development. Five, it steadily expanded its business scope. CSOAR has set up branch institutions such as the Management Committee of Administrative Reform Research Fund, and Administrative Culture Committee. Construction of the investigation and research base is proceeding steadily. CSOAR also gave rein to its own advantage to center on administrative reform and governance innovation to launch trainings for related leaders and officials of the Party and government.