The CPC Central Committee and the State Council recently released a plan for reforming the Party and State institutions. It states that the government will set up a new department within the Party’s Central Committee to be known as the Central Social Work Department.
This new department will have three key responsibilities. First, it is responsible for coordinating and guiding “xinfang”, where people write letters or pay visits to give feedback to the government.
Second, the department will lead the Party-building work of national industry associations and chambers of commerce, and coordinate and promote the deepening reform and transformation of these organizations.
Lastly, the social work department will be in charge of guiding Party-building in the private sector, including at NGOs.
