China plans to dismantle the Ministry of Railways into administrative and commercial arms, according to a report delivered by State Councilor Ma Kai to the annual session of the country's top legislature on Sunday.
The proposed state railway administration, to be supervised by the Ministry of Transport, will fulfill the existing Railway Ministry's administrative functions, according to the report on the State Council's institutional reform and transformation of government functions.
The proposed China Railway Corporation will carry out the existing Railway Ministry's commercial functions, Ma Kai said.
The state railway administration will be responsible for establishing railway technology standards and supervising railway work safety, transport service quality and railway project quality, Ma said.
The China Railway Corporation will be responsible for railway transportation dispatch and command, freight and passenger transport business management and railway construction, Ma said.
"In order to give full play to the overall advantages and integration efficiency of various transport means, it is necessary to separate the administrative functions from the commercial functions of the existing Railway Ministry," said the State Councilor.
As the railway has undertaken many public functions and its development is at an important stage, the government will continue to support railway construction, accelerate reforms in railway investment, financing and pricing, and establish a sound transport subsidy system.
Meanwhile, the government will continue to deepen railway corporate reform and establish a modern corporate system, Ma said.
Wang Yiming, deputy head of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission, described the dismantling of the ministry as a "landmark" move.
This means the country has lifted the last "stronghold" blocking the railway industry's market entrance, Wang said. "It will open another door for the railway sector's financing and management."
Minister of Railways Sheng Guangzu told media on Sunday morning that he did not feel disappointed as the final railway minister.
Sheng said compared with benefits as a result of the railway sector reform, personal interests are minimal.
China's transportation capabilities will be greatly enhanced through the integration and overall planning of various transport means, including rail, road, shipping and aviation, after the department restructuring, he said.
Meanwhile, the railway itself can give full play to its advantages in travelling long distances, transporting heavy loads and offering low carbon emissions, he said.
"After separating the administrative functions from the commercial functions, we can carry out more market research, better adapt to the market, provide preferable services to customers and have more room for development, as well," he said.
Sheng said the dismantling of the Railway Ministry will not affect investment in railway construction.
The debts of the Railway Ministry will be divided according to whether they are public or commercial. The debts will be properly reviewed and handled by relevant departments, he said.
Sheng did not disclose what his next position would be.
Wang Yukai, a professor with Chinese Academy of Governance, said the restructuring of the Railway Ministry will benefit the people.
After the commercialization of the country's railways, outside pressures are likely to push down railway operation costs, Wang said.
The participation of private capital will also increase the competitiveness of the railway and lower its operation costs, he said.
国务院将组建国家铁路局和中国铁路总公司
新华社北京３月１０日电（记者霍小光、崔清新）根据１０日披露的国务院机构改革和职能转变方案,中国将实行铁路政企分开,国务院将组建国家铁路局和中国铁路总公司.
近些年,中国铁路实现了跨越式发展,保障了国民经济平稳运行和人民生产生活需要,但也存在政企不分、与其他交通运输方式衔接不畅等问题.为推动铁路建设和运营健康可持续发展,保障铁路运营秩序和安全,充分发挥各种交通运输方式的整体优势和组合效率,有必要实行铁路政企分开,加快推进综合交通运输体系建设.
方案提出,将铁道部拟订铁路发展规划和政策的行政职责划入交通运输部.交通运输部统筹规划铁路、公路、水路、民航发展,加快推进综合交通运输体系建设.组建国家铁路局,由交通运输部管理,承担铁道部的其他行政职责,负责拟订铁路技术标准,监督管理铁路安全生产、运输服务质量和铁路工程质量等.组建中国铁路总公司,承担铁道部的企业职责,负责铁路运输统一调度指挥,经营铁路客货运输业务,承担专运、特运任务,负责铁路建设,承担铁路安全生产主体责任等.同时,不再保留铁道部.
考虑到铁路仍处于建设发展重要时期,同时承担很多公益性任务,方案提出,国家继续支持铁路建设发展,加快推进铁路投融资体制改革和运价改革,建立健全规范的公益性线路和运输补贴机制.同时,继续深化铁路企业改革,建立现代企业制度.
改革后,中国铁路总公司统一调度指挥铁路运输,实行全路集中统一管理,确保铁路运营秩序和安全,确保重要运输任务完成,不断提高管理水平,为人民群众提供安全、便捷、优质服务.
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