The State Administration of Civil Service (SACS), approved in March by the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, has finished its preparatory work and begun operation, SACS deputy director Yang Shiqiu said on Monday.

Under the management of Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS), the SACS consists of 60 staff. They all came from the former Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

The function of the administration would cover management, recruitment, assessment, training, rewards, supervision and other aspects related to civil service affairs, according to Yang.

The SACS were also entrusted with several new functions. These included drawing up regulations on the trial periods of newly-enrolled personnel, further protecting the legal rights of civil servants and shouldering the responsibility of the registration of civil servants under central departments.

SACS director Yin Weimin said the move would help to strengthen the management on civil servants and improve their governing capability.

The SACS's establishment was part of the government's reshuffle. It aimed to explore a "super ministry" system to streamline government department functions.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)