October 12, 1983: CPC Central Committee and State Council issue notice to set up govts at town levels

October 12, 1983: CPC Central Committee and State Council issue notice to set up govts at town levels 

On October 12, 1983, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council jointly issued a notice to establish township governments and separate governmental functions from the people's communes.

The people's commune was the highest of three administrative levels in the rural areas of the People's Republic of China during 1958 to 1982-85 until they were replaced by townships. Communes, the largest collective units, were divided in turn into production brigades and production teams. The communes had governmental, political and economic divisions.

The notice said that establishment of township governments should be finished by the end of 1984. Since then, China began the establishment of township governments and gradually abolished the people's commune system.