Innovation reshapes grassroots governance

In China, officials at the grassroots level, particularly those working for township authorities, are often regarded as the "last mile" for policy implementation. They represent the final step in translating policies into action, and therefore often shoulder heavy workloads.

Over the years, many regions have experimented with innovative governance models to enhance the governance capacity and efficiency of these officials.

During fieldwork in a small county in Central China in 2019, I observed a novel governance approach that used "lines" and "zones" to reorganize grassroots operations. Each township in the county cataloged its various work streams, referred to as "lines", which covered major projects, key policy implementations and routine administrative matters.

New positions were created based on specific requirements of each "line", and officials were assigned accordingly.

This institutional reform led many township officials to leave their long-held positions to take on new assignments, often with considerable changes in job responsibilities.

The restructuring was task-oriented; new positions were created when a major task emerged and dissolved when that task was completed, with the staff reassigned to other work.

Simultaneously, each township divided its jurisdiction into several sub-areas called "zones". A zone, comprising several villages or urban communities, was allocated a dedicated team of township officials, including leaders overseeing the entire zone and members stationed in every village or community. These officials were responsible for implementing policies, communicating them directly to residents and collecting public feedback.

Under local regulations, all positions along the "lines" or within "zones", except for leadership roles and specialized positions requiring specific expertise, were filled through two-way selection. At the beginning of each year, officials applied for posts based on factors including their strengths and workload, and the township leadership finalized appointments by matching applicants' skills and qualifications with actual requirements.

This case illustrates how township governments manage heavy workloads amid limited human resources.

This "line" and "zone" approach helped townships achieve better alignment between personnel and positions, further motivating officials and demonstrating the resilience of grassroots authorities in China.

Similar innovations aimed at improving the performance of grassroots governance have been introduced in many other regions across China. For instance, in 2017, Pinggu district of Beijing pioneered a mechanism allowing townships to request support from higher-level departments when facing issues of significant public concerns but beyond their capacity to resolve. The departments are required to respond promptly to such requests, thereby strengthening coordination between grassroots and higher-level authorities and pooling resources for effective governance.

Such innovations for improving grassroots governance are vital for a large country like China. There are notable differences between regions across the nation and local conditions vary widely. Local governments, especially those at the grassroots level, must implement central policies while adapting to local realities. Where necessary, innovations refine grassroots governance and design creative action plans to ensure national policies are effectively delivered on the ground.

These innovations help optimize the use of human resources in grassroots governments, boosting their administrative capacity.

By aligning personnel, tasks and posts and more effectively utilizing human, financial and other resources, these approaches unlock the potential of officials, encourage them to work more enthusiastically, and translate institutional strengths into enhanced governance performance.

Designed to better meet people's needs, the innovations embody the people-centered nature of Chinese modernization. As public demands grow increasingly diverse and complex, authorities across various regions are enhancing their ability to respond quickly and effectively. For example, in 2019 Beijing rolled out a reform to promptly address its residents' need to improve the megacity's governance.

The complaints filed through the city's 12345 service hotline are forwarded to the relevant authorities, with 343 sub-districts and townships tasked with handling them.

This approach has paved a new path for modernizing Beijing's governance, driven by the demands of its residents.

These innovations also demonstrate the flexibility of China's governance. As the country advances its modernization drive, society is undergoing remarkable shifts, including accelerated cross-regional population mobility and higher public expectations for a better quality of life.

The ability of grassroots governments to adapt to these changes directly impacts local growth, stability and order. This adaptability and initiative are why China's grassroots governance system tackles intricate local challenges effectively, maintaining steady and sustainable progress.

The author is a professor at the Institute of Political Science and National Governance Studies at Central China Normal University.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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