Deeper reform of the Party and state apparatus
Since the start of reform and opening up, Party organizations and state agencies have undergone continuous restructuring as part of the overall reform process. Party organizations have had four rounds of reform, introduced in 1982, 1988, 1993 and 1999. Agencies of the State Council have had seven rounds of reform, which took place in 1982, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013. As a result, there have been major changes in government functions to reflect the transition from a planned economy to a socialist market economy.
A decision and an action plan on deeper reform of the Party and state apparatus, unveiled by the 19th CPC Central Committee at its third plenary session in February 2018, represent the opening salvo in further reforming Party organizations and state agencies. This new round of reform aims to modernize and improve the national governance structure and capabilities, so as to ensure and strengthen the Party's leadership role in all aspects of national governance. It also helps rationalize the division of government responsibilities at both central and local levels to ensure better synergy between different levels of government.
The objective of this reform is to build a comprehensive, rational and efficient structure of Party and state institutions, consisting of a Party leadership framework that provides overall direction and coordination, a law-based governance system for the government with clearly defined responsibilities, and world-class armed forces. This structure will feature mechanisms that interact with and serve the public, and ensure coordinated action and synergy between the People's Congress, the government at all levels, the CPPCC committees, oversight bodies, courts, prosecutors' offices, businesses, public institutions, non-governmental organizations and other social actors, so as to improve overall national governance. We will pursue this reform while bearing in mind our first and second centennial goals.
This reform will proceed under the overall leadership of the Party, and be informed by a people-centered approach, with a focus on enhancing synergy and promoting the rule of law.
The process involves strengthening the mechanism that ensures the Party's leadership role in all aspects of national governance, and improving the government structure and the division of functions. It also entails reorganizing institutions across the Party, the government, the armed forces and society as a whole in an integrated manner, rationalizing local governance structure, and promoting law-based practices.
深化党和国家机构改革
改革开放以来，党和国家机构改革不断推进，构成改革开放伟大实践的重要内容。党中央部门于1982年、1988年、1993年、1999年集中进行了4次改革，国务院机构于1982年、1988年、1993年、1998年、2003年、2008年、2013年集中进行了7次改革，实现了从计划经济条件下的机构职能体系向社会主义市场经济条件下的机构职能体系的重大转变。2018年2月，党的十九届三中全会审议通过了《中共中央关于深化党和国家机构改革的决定》和《深化党和国家机构改革方案》，正式拉开深化党和国家机构改革的序幕。深化党和国家机构改革是推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的一场深刻变革，目标是全面提高国家治理能力和治理水平，关键是确保党的领导全覆盖，确保党的领导更加坚强有力，并提出要理顺中央和地方职责关系，更好发挥中央和地方两个积极性。
改革的目标是：构建系统完备、科学规范、运行高效的党和国家机构职能体系，形成总揽全局、协调各方的党的领导体系，职责明确、依法行政的政府治理体系，中国特色、世界一流的武装力量体系，联系广泛、服务群众的群团工作体系，推动人大、政府、政协、监察机关、审判机关、检察机关、人民团体、企事业单位、社会组织等在党的统一领导下协调行动、增强合力，全面提高国家治理能力和治理水平。既要立足于实现第一个百年奋斗目标，又要着眼于实现第二个百年奋斗目标。
改革的原则是：坚持党的全面领导，坚持以人民为中心，坚持优化协同高效，坚持全面依法治国。
改革的主要内容是：完善坚持党的全面领导的制度，优化政府机构设置和职能配置，统筹党政军群机构改革，合理设置地方机构，推进机构编制法定化。