Governing Civil Service Pay in China

by Alfred M. Wu

As agents of the state, civil servants are central to public governance and socioeconomic development. In developing countries, it has been seen that an effective civil service pay system may provide strong incentives for better public service and rein in corruption whereas poor remuneration can fuel corruption and discontent among civil servants. Grappling with a well-functioning pay regime has challenged the PRC since its birth. Over the past decade, reforms have been implemented in the civil service pay system that are closely associated with legitimacy change (from an economy-based approach to welfare-based one), income distribution and central - local relations. However, these have led to a heated debate over the legitimacy, effectiveness and direction of these reforms. By examining this situation and the tug-of-war over remuneration among different players, this pioneering study deepens our understanding of China's reform process and its actors.

"[…] the book is an extremely valuable source for academics, economists,government officials, professionals, businesspeople, and students. It covers unexplored territory and contains a number of facts and figures that make the subject more interesting and approachable. It will also appeal to researchers interested in human resource management as well as in the politics of contemporary China." - Lina Vyas, Governance – Volume 29, Issue 3

Alfred M. Wu is Lecturer in the Department of Asian and Policy Studies at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. He earned his PhD from City University of Hong Kong. His research interests include public sector reform, central–local fiscal relations, corruption and governance, and social protection in Greater China. In addition to his academic research, Dr Wu writes for the media, regularly contributing columns and op-eds that address governance and public policy issues in Greater China.

Publication year: 2014
253 pp / 229mm x 152mm
25 figures, 47 tables
ISBN: 978-87-7694-144-4, Paperback
ISBN: 978-87-7694-143-7, Hardback

NIAS Press