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.
國務院將組建國家鐵路局和中國鐵路總公司
新華社北京３月１０日電（記者霍小光、崔清新）根據１０日披露的國務院機構改革和職能轉變方案,中國將實行鐵路政企分開,國務院將組建國家鐵路局和中國鐵路總公司.
近些年,中國鐵路實現了跨越式發展,保障了國民經濟平穩運行和人民生產生活需要,但也存在政企不分、與其他交通運輸方式銜接不暢等問題.為推動鐵路建設和運營健康可持續發展,保障鐵路運營秩序和安全,充分發揮各種交通運輸方式的整體優勢和組合效率,有必要實行鐵路政企分開,加快推進綜合交通運輸體系建設.
方案提出,將鐵道部擬訂鐵路發展規劃和政策的行政職責劃入交通運輸部.交通運輸部統籌規劃鐵路、公路、水路、民航發展,加快推進綜合交通運輸體系建設.組建國家鐵路局,由交通運輸部管理,承擔鐵道部的其他行政職責,負責擬訂鐵路技術標準,監督管理鐵路安全生產、運輸服務質量和鐵路工程質量等.組建中國鐵路總公司,承擔鐵道部的企業職責,負責鐵路運輸統一調度指揮,經營鐵路客貨運輸業務,承擔專運、特運任務,負責鐵路建設,承擔鐵路安全生產主體責任等.同時,不再保留鐵道部.
考慮到鐵路仍處于建設發展重要時期,同時承擔很多公益性任務,方案提出,國家繼續支持鐵路建設發展,加快推進鐵路投融資體制改革和運價改革,建立健全規范的公益性線路和運輸補貼機制.同時,繼續深化鐵路企業改革,建立現代企業制度.
改革后,中國鐵路總公司統一調度指揮鐵路運輸,實行全路集中統一管理,確保鐵路運營秩序和安全,確保重要運輸任務完成,不斷提高管理水平,為人民群眾提供安全、便捷、優質服務.
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