Economic reform in China at the Xian level

In the terminology of Chinese planning the "state plan" embraces both the central and provincial plans, while the "local plan" refers exclusively to the one for the Xian (county) and its administrative equivalent, namely the provincial municipality. After identifying the major Xian planning agencies and comparing their basic functions and relationships before and after the economic reform of 1979, the article focusses on the question of how and to what extent resources have been transferred to the Xian sector; and what incentives have been provided to stimulate local initiatives. (DÜI-Sen)