China National Development and Reform Commission

China National Development and Reform Commission
Name	China National Development and Reform Commission
Formed	March 2003
Preceding1	State Development Planning Commission
Jurisdiction	Government of China
Headquarters	Beijing
Minister1 name	Zheng Shanjie
Minister1 pfo	Chairman
Keydocument1	Five-year plans of China
Website	http://en.ndrc.gov.cn/

Contents

History
Organization
Functions and responsibilities
Leadership
Major policies and initiatives
See also

China National Development and Reform Commission. It is a macroeconomic management agency under the State Council, possessing broad administrative and planning control over the Chinese economy. Formed in 2003, it absorbed the functions of the former State Development Planning Commission and has since been a central architect of the nation's development strategy. The commission plays a pivotal role in formulating five-year plans, approving major projects, and guiding reforms across critical sectors.

History

The commission's direct predecessor, the State Development Planning Commission, was established in 1952 and was the principal body for central economic planning during the era of the planned economy. Following the Chinese economic reform initiated by Deng Xiaoping, its role evolved from strict planning to comprehensive macroeconomic management. In March 2003, during the 1st Session of the 10th National People's Congress, the State Council reorganized it into the current entity to better address the challenges of WTO accession and market-oriented reforms. This restructuring consolidated functions from the former State Economic and Trade Commission regarding industrial policy and the Office for Restructuring the Economic System.

Organization

The internal structure comprises numerous functional departments and bureaus, including the Department of Development Planning, the Department of Economic System Reform, and the Department of Fixed Asset Investment. It also oversees several important affiliated administrations, such as the National Energy Administration and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration. The commission maintains a system of regional offices, like the National Development and Reform Commission Shanghai Office, to coordinate with local governments including the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the Guangdong Provincial People's Government.

Functions and responsibilities

Its core mandate is to formulate and implement national economic and social development strategies. This includes drafting medium and long-term plans like the 14th Five-Year Plan and annual plans, which are reviewed and approved by the National People's Congress. The commission approves and regulates major investment projects in sectors like energy, transportation, and high technology, and guides the reform of key industries including state-owned enterprises and the financial system. It is also responsible for price monitoring, promoting sustainable development, and coordinating regional strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative.

Leadership

The commission is led by a chairman, who is a member of the State Council. The chairman is supported by several vice chairmen and a party secretary. Notable past chairmen include Ma Kai, who later served as Vice Premier of the State Council, and He Lifeng, who was appointed Vice Premier of the State Council in 2023. The current chairman is Zheng Shanjie, who assumed the role in 2023. Leadership appointments are made by the State Council following procedures of the National People's Congress.

Major policies and initiatives

The commission has been instrumental in launching and managing several landmark national strategies. It played a central role in designing and coordinating the Belt and Road Initiative, involving infrastructure development across Eurasia and Africa. Domestically, it drives the Made in China 2025 industrial policy and formulates policies for the development of Xiong'an New Area. It also oversees critical transitions such as the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, regulates the electricity market, and manages strategic reserves through the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.