# National Development and Reform Commission

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is the third-ranked executive department of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, which functions as a macroeconomic management agency. Established as the State Planning Commission, the NDRC has broad administrative and planning control over the economy of mainland China, and has a reputation of being the "mini-state council".

## History

The body was first established in November 1952 as the State Planning Commission of the Central People's Government. It was modeled after Gosplan.$^{:109}$ Gao Gang was its first director.$^{:109}$ In 1954, it was transformed to the State Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China. The NDRC's functions are to study and formulate policies for economic and social development, maintain the balance of economic development, and to guide restructuring of the economic system of mainland China.
In March 1998, the commission was renamed into the State Development Planning Commission. It was renamed again in March 2003 to its current name, the National Development and Reform Commission.
In 2005, the NDRC issued a circular economy-focused policy document requiring maximization of recycling and reuse of wastewater, exhaust gas, and water residue generated during mining and smelting.$^{:12}$
In 2008, the NDRC issued a set of policies designed to further development the economies of central regions of China, consistent with the Hu-Wen administration's efforts to balance regional development.$^{:217}$
In 2016, the NDRC and Alibaba Group signed an agreement to promote rural e-commerce development.$^{:129}$
In 2017, the NDRC announced the creation of China's national carbon emissions trading system.$^{:76}$
Prior to 2018, it was also responsible for enforcing China's antitrust law, but this function has been transferred to the State Administration for Market Regulation. In February 2015, the NDRC completed an investigation into Qualcomm, finding that violated the Anti-Monopoly Law by imposing unreasonable requirements for patent licensing. Qualcomm was fined the equivalent of US$975 million.
Also in 2018, the NDRC's climate policymaking functions were transferred to the newly created Ministry of Ecology and Environment.$^{:95}$
On 19 December 2020, the NDRC published rules for reviewing foreign investment on national security grounds. The rules allow government agencies "to preview, deny and punish foreign investment activities in areas that are deemed as important to national security." In October 2021, the NDRC published rules restricting private capital in "news-gathering, editing, broadcasting, and distribution."
On 4 September 2023, the NDRC announced it established the Private Economy Development Bureau in order monitor the country's private economy, as well as establish regular communication with private businesses.

## Functions

The NDRC is China's main macroeconomic control institution,$^{:102}$ as well as the top organization in the State Council in matters related to economic policymaking. It oversees the planning system in China, including producing the five-year plans of China. The NDRC has responsibilities over economic targets, price policies, market policies, supply-side structural reform, overseas investment, domestic investment policy, regional development strategies, industrial development strategies, major infrastructure projects, consumption policy, innovation-driven development, scientific and technological infrastructure, high-tech industries, social development, basic public services and social development. NDRC's responsibility for large infrastructure is intended to prevent the economy from becoming too hot or cold, as well as to address China's overcapacity in production for sectors like aluminum, iron, steel, and energy.$^{:106}$
The NDRC works with other departments to formulate policies, including drafting laws and regulations.$^{:39}$ It monitors Chinese businesses' outbound foreign direct investment to ensure they do not invest in blacklisted projects.$^{:80}$ The NDRC must approve sensitive projects, including projects in countries that do not recognize the People's Republic of China, projects in countries experiencing civil war or other major domestic difficulties, or projects involving sensitive subject matter like cross-border water issues or weapons production.$^{:80}$
The NDRC works with the National Health Commission to research demographic trends and formulate policies on population. It promotes sustainable development strategies.$^{:39}$ The NDRC is involved in the foreign aid process through coordinating aid to other countries for climate cooperation.$^{:73}$ The NDRC is also one of the main government agencies responsible for data collection for the Chinese Social Credit System. The NDRC's Social Development Division has a planning role in cultural industries including sports, tourism, and mass media.$^{:100}$
The NDRC manages the General Offices several leading groups, including the National Defense Mobilization Commission, the State Council Leading Group for Western Development, and the State Council Leading Group for the Revitalization of Old Industrial Bases in Northeast China; all of these are led by the premier. It also hosts the General Offices of the State Council Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, the Leading Group for Coordinated Development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Leading Group for Promoting the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Leading Group for Promoting Comprehensive Deepening of Reform and Opening in Hainan; these are led by the first-ranking vice premier, with the NDRC chairman usually being the Office director.

## List of ministers

Officially, the candidate for the chairperson of the NDRC is nominated by the premier of the State Council, who is then approved by the National People's Congress or its Standing Committee and appointed by the president. The commission has been chaired by Zheng Shanjie since March 2023.
| No. | Name | Office | Took office | Left office | Premier |
| 1 | Gao Gang | Chairman of the Central People's Government State Planning Commission | November 1952 | August 1954 | Independent of the Premier Zhou Enlai |
| 2 | Li Fuchun | Chairperson of the State Planning Commission | September 1954 | January 1975 | Zhou Enlai |
| 3 | Yu Qiuli | Chairperson of the State Planning Commission | January 1975 | August 1980 | Zhou Enlai Hua Guofeng |
| 4 | Yao Yilin | Chairperson of the State Planning Commission | August 1980 | June 1983 | Zhao Ziyang |
| 5 | Song Ping | Chairperson of the State Planning Commission | June 1983 | June 1987 | Zhao Ziyang |
| 6 | Yao Yilin | Chairperson of the State Planning Commission | June 1987 | December 1989 | Zhao Ziyang Li Peng |
| 7 | Zou Jiahua | Chairperson of the State Planning Commission | December 1989 | March 1993 | Li Peng |
| 8 | Chen Jinhua | Chairperson of the State Planning Commission | March 1993 | March 1998 | Li Peng |
| 9 | Zeng Peiyan | Chairperson of the State Development Planning Commission | March 1998 | March 2003 | Zhu Rongji |
| 10 | Ma Kai | Chairperson of the National Development and Reform Commission | March 2003 | March 2008 | Wen Jiabao |
| 11 | Zhang Ping | Chairperson of the National Development and Reform Commission | March 2008 | 16 March 2013 | Wen Jiabao |
| 12 | Xu Shaoshi | Chairperson of the National Development and Reform Commission | 16 March 2013 | 24 February 2017 | Li Keqiang |
| 13 | He Lifeng | Chairperson of the National Development and Reform Commission | 24 February 2017 | 12 March 2023 | Li Keqiang |
| 14 | Zheng Shanjie | Chairperson of the National Development and Reform Commission | 12 March 2023 | Incumbent | Li Qiang |

## Current leadership
### Minister in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission

* Zheng Shanjie

### Vice-ministers

* Mu Hong - Minister level, Deputy General Office chief of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms
* Zhang Yong - Minister level
* Ning Jizhe - Minister level

## Subordinates
### Sub-ministry-level national administrations administered by the NDRC

* National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration
* National Energy Administration [zh]
* National Data Administration