The dissolution and merger of townships is an important part of rural reform. Individual influences should not get in the way of its implementation, says an article in China Economic Times. An excerpt follows:

Jilin was one of the first provinces to scrap agriculture tax. To proceed with the reform, the province has dissolved and merged 291 townships, accounting for 31.8 per cent of previous total, resulting in the loss of 1,874 government jobs. According to estimates, around 500,000 yuan (US$62,500) in public finances can be saved by dissolving or merging one township. Therefore, the total sum saved in Jilin Province will reach 140 million yuan (US$17.5 million) a year.

In interviews with the China Youth Daily, the local people said "there are less temples and we don't have to make offerings to that many Buddhas now."

Their words are quite clear  the public of course is very happy that the reform has delivered so many benefits.

Grass-roots officials are also clear about the difficulties of the reform. In the same report, an official mentioned the failure to reform before 2002, pointing out that the attitude of local leaders was a decisive factor in the reform.

It is very likely that the current reform will meet many obstacles from some local officials whose interests are hurt during  the dissolution and merger of townships. However, the likes and dislikes of local leaders must not affect the progress of this reform.

The reform of township governments is a national arrangement decided by the central government. The State has adopted many measures in recent years to reduce the financial burden on the rural population. Many of these efforts, such as abolishing agriculture tax, implementing free compulsory education and sending unsupported elderly people to nursing homes, have achieved results. But it will take a long time to remove the heavy burden from farmers' shoulders. Rural grass-roots administrative organizations are huge. It is necessary to downsize grass-roots governments to help reduce the burden on farmers.