Reasonable or Unreasonable? The Evolution Analysis of the Chinese Administrative Examination & Approval System—Based on Statistical Analysis of Network News Keywords about Nine Typical Samples

Abstract

A frequency analysis of network-news reports about nine samples of the Chinese Administrative Examination & Approval System reform, including Beijing, Tianjin, Gansu, Shanxi, Chengdu, Ningbo, Shanghai Pudong district, Chengdu Wuhou district and Guangdong Shunde district, was carried out. This research reveals that efficiency-oriented, government-led, top-down mandatory compliance style, incremental, insufficiency of civic engagement and social supervision etc. constitute the CAEAS reform, which has streamlined and downsized government functions, improved administrative efficiency and liberated the market. However, some contradictory phenomena, such as the efficiency paradox i.e. pursuit of efficiency and the efficiency trap, administrative route superior to the rule of law, administration separated from the government power-list, service-oriented but low level of public participation, government self-revolution and sector interests’ resistance, are intertwined to influence governance capability, although the threat of the middle-income trap emphasizes the necessity of good governance. The paper concludes that it is difficult to assess the CAEAS evolution simply by reasonable or unreasonable, comprehensive consideration is needed.