Prefecture-level divisions of China

By far the most common type of prefecture-level division, prefecture-level cities are cities with the right to administer surrounding counties. This arrangement is known as "cities governing counties." Although there have been at least a few prefecture-level cities since the beginning of the PRC, they were relatively uncommon until the 1980s. Since then, hundreds of prefectures have been converted into prefecture-level cities.[5] They are each headed by a People's Government, whose officials are appointed by the province but subject to approval by the local People's Congress.[6] As with other levels of Chinese government, the People's Congress can adopt local regulations and elects a standing committee to exercise its powers when not in session.[7]

Until the 1980s, the most common prefecture-level division was the prefecture, which operated as the field agencies of the provincial government. Unlike other prefecture-level governments, they do not have their own People's Governments or People's Congresses. They are instead the field agencies of the province whose role is to supervise the local county governments.[4] However, the number of prefectures has declined rapidly since the 1980s. There are now only six prefectures left, mainly in rural areas of outlying provinces.[8][6]

Unlike other prefecture-level divisions, autonomous prefectures are a formal part of the Chinese administrative structure. They were established in 1953 as part of a series of administrative reforms giving greater autonomy to ethnic minorities.[2] Like leagues and prefecture-level cities, autonomous prefectures have a locally elected People's Government and People's Congress.[6]

Leagues are similar to autonomous prefectures but are unique to Inner Mongolia. Their numbers have been declining in recent years as most are converted to prefecture-level cities. Only three leagues remain.[8][6]

• Government Affairs Division (31 December 2020). National administrative division information query platform (Map) (in Chinese). Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
• Guo, Rongxing (2017). How the Chinese Economy Works (4th Revised ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
• Sun, Caihong (2020). "The Relationship between Central and Local Authorities in China". In Fang, Ning (ed.). China's Political System. Translated by Fu, Yili. Singapore: Springer Nature & Chinese Social Sciences Press. pp. 91–124.
• Goodman, David S.G. (2015). Handbook of the Politics of China. Northampton, Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
• Zhang, Li; LeGates, Richard; Zhao, Min (2016). Understanding China's Urbanization: The Great Demographic, Spatial, Economic, and Social Transformation. Northampton, Massachusetts: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
• Saich, Tony (2015). Governance and Politics of China (Fourth ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Chung, Jae Ho; Lam, Chiu (2010). China's Local Administration: Traditions and Changes in the Sub-National Hierarchy. New York: Routledge.
• Fitzgerald, John (2002). Rethinking China's Provinces. New York: Routledge.