System of lists of government powers

Lists of government powers are those that catalogue the functions and powers of China's executive branch at different levels. These lists are available for public scrutiny.

At its Third Plenary Session in November 2013, the 18th CPC Central Committee decided to put in place a transparent system whereby the powers of local governments and their departments are catalogued so as to ensure that these powers are exercised according to the law. At its Fourth Plenary Session in October 2014, the 18th CPC Central Committee decided to further implement the transparency initiative in order to eliminate any room for personal profiteering.

This initiative is crucial to China's effort to upgrade its governance system and capacity. It is designed to ensure that no public authority exercises or assumes any power that is not granted by law.

權力清單制度

權力清單指中國各級政府根據法律法規的規定，以清單方式對政府及政府部門行使的職能、權限進行列舉，形成行政權力事項目錄，對外公布并接受社會監督。

中國共產黨十八屆三中全會《決定》提出，“推行地方各級政府及其工作部門權力清單制度，依法公開權力運行流程。”十八屆四中全會《決定》進一步提出，“推行政府權力清單制度，堅決消除權力設租尋租空間。”

推行權力清單制度是中國推進國家治理體系和治理能力現代化的一項基礎性工作，它要求政府部門法無授權不可為，不得法外設定權力。