Letters and Blogs

Greater Chengguan & good governance

Chengguan, or urban management officers, have long been controversial in the public mind. An official from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development confessed that, "it's imperative to set up a city administrative committee under the direct leadership of mayor". The idea was dubbed "greater Chengguan". The official also told reporters that "greater Chengguan" - combining and coordinating various departments of a city - would promote the formation of a scientific system for urban administration.

Today, without specific responsibilities and clear affiliation, China's Chengguan is an uncontrolled group mainly responsible for maintaining the city's appearance, environment, hygiene and traffic by cracking down on unlicensed street vendors who are a vulnerable social group. They have become notorious for their violent depriving the street peddlers of their livelihood.