National Development and Reform Commission

The body was first established in November 1952 as the State Planning Commission of the Central People's Government. In 1954, it was transformed to the State Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China. The NDRC's functions are to study and formulate policies for economic and social development, maintain the balance of economic development, and to guide restructuring of the economic system of Mainland China.[2]

In March 1998, the commission was renamed into the State Development Planning Commission. It was renamed again in March 2003 to its current name, the National Development and Reform Commission.

In 2008, the NDRC issued a set of policies designed to further development the economies of central regions of China, consistent with the Hu-Wen administration's efforts to balance regional development.[3]^: 217

In 2017, the NDRC announced the creation of China's national carbon emissions trading system.[4]^: 76

Prior to 2018, it was also responsible for enforcing China's antitrust law, but this function has been transferred to the State Administration for Market Regulation. Also in 2018, the NDRC's climate policymaking functions were transferred to the newly created Ministry of Ecology and Environment.[5]^: 95

On 19 December 2020, the NDRC published rules for reviewing foreign investment on national security grounds.[6][7] The rules allow government agencies "to preview, deny and punish foreign investment activities in areas that are deemed as important to national security."[7] In October 2021, the NDRC published rules restricting private capital in "news-gathering, editing, broadcasting, and distribution."[8]

On 4 September 2023, the NDRC announced it established the Private Economy Development Bureau in order monitor the country's private economy, as well as establish regular communication with private businesses.[9]

The NDRC is China's main macroeconomic control institution, as well as the top organization in the State Council in matters related to economic policymaking. It oversees the planning system in China, including producing the five-year plans of China.[10] The NDRC has responsibilities over economic targets, price policies, market policies, supply-side structural reform, overseas investment, domestic investment policy, regional development strategies, industrial development strategies, major infrastructure projects, consumption policy, innovation-driven development, scientific and technological infrastructure, high-tech industries, social development, basic public services and social development.[10] The NDRC is also one of the main government agencies responsible for data collection for the Chinese Social Credit System.[11]

The NDRC works with other departments to formulate policies. It works with the Ministry of Commerce to draft negative lists for foreign investments at the national level and for special economic zones. It works with the National Health Commission to research demographic trends and formulate policies on population.[10]

The NDRC manages the General Offices several leading groups, including the National Defense Mobilization Commission, the State Council Leading Group for Western Development, and the State Council Leading Group for the Revitalization of Old Industrial Bases in Northeast China; all of these are led by the premier.[10] It also hosts the General Offices of the State Council Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, the Leading Group for Coordinated Development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Leading Group for Promoting Comprehensive Deepening of Reform and Opening in Hainan; these are led by the first-ranking vice premier, with the NDRC chairman usually being the Office director.[10]

Officially, the candidate for the chairperson of the NDRC is nominated by the premier of the State Council, who is then approved by the National People's Congress or its Standing Committee and appointed by the president.[12] The commission has been headed by Zheng Shanjie since March 2023.

Minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission

1. Zheng Shanjie

Vice-ministers

1. Mu Hong - Minister level, Deputy General Office chief of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms
2. Zhang Yong - Minister level
3. Ning Jizhe - Minister level
4. Lian Weiliang (连维良)
5. Lin Nianxiu (林念修)
6. Hu Zucai (胡祖才)
7. Luo Wen (罗文)[2]

Sub-ministry-level national administrations administered by the NDRC

• National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration
• National Energy Administration
• National Data Administration

• China Compulsory Certificate
• Gosplan
• Number 10 Policy Unit
• State Information Center of China

• Official site