Last super ministry is open for business

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-30  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, one of five "super ministries" approved in March by the National People's Congress, China's parliament, was inaugurated yesterday.

Twenty-four departments have been approved for establishment under the new ministry.

Li Yizhong, former head of the State Administration of Work Safety, is acting as minister.

The new ministry, transformed from the Ministry of Information Industry, will absorb the National Development and Reform Commission functions on industry and trade management. It will also take over the functions of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense except that on nuclear power management, and the functions of the Ministry of Information Industry and the State Council Information Office.

A state bureau of science, technology and industry for national defence will be formed under the new ministry.

It will also absorb the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration.

The Commission of Science Technology and Industry for National Defense, the Ministry of Information Industry and the State Council Information Office will be dissolved.

The super ministries are part of a plan to streamline government services, strengthen macro-economic regulation, maintain security of energy supply and integrate information development and industrialization.

The super ministries of Human Resources and Social Security; Environmental Protection; Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Transport have already been inaugurated.