Reform to balance responsibility and power

A man is passing by the examination hall of professional titles.[Photo/IC]

Reform of the professional title system requires adjustment of the responsibility and power pattern between the government and society, which is a fundamental change of the social management system. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Tuesday:

At an executive meeting of the State Council, China's cabinet, on Wednesday, it was decided to further cancel a batch of licenses for professional titles. That brings the number of professional titles that have been abolished to 319.

It indicates the government's determination to streamline administration and delegate power to the lower levels, as well as a change in the working style of government, which has been widely praised by the public.

At the end of 2011 there were more than 1,100 profession titles granted by governments at various levels, which means that more than 780 professional titles still exist.

The reform has canceled a series of "bizarre professional titles", which few people applied for, but the professional titles of popular positions are what the reform should focus on.

Premier Li Keqiang has pointed out that too many professional titles create red tape, which restrains the public's entrepreneurship and employment, and the primary reason that the relevant authorities are unwilling to cancel them is that the licenses bring them economic benefits and even breed rent-seeking.

In many fields the licenses for professional titles have become industry chains that include selling textbooks, holding training classes, organizing tests and issuing certificates.

It's not difficult to imagine the resistance cancelling these professional titles may face, considering the huge interests they may bring.

In general, except for some specific professions that require unified standards, such as doctors, lawyers and accountants, the qualifications of the majority of professions should be decided by the market.

The government should clearly define the boundary of government and society in terms of responsibility and power, and further promote the reform.