In March 2018, the National People's Congress (NPC) approved the Plan to Deepen Reform of Party and State Institutions, which significantly reorganises the ministries and agencies that comprise the State Council, China's cabinet. The reorganisation reduced eight ministerial-level government institutions. This Article highlights important government institutional changes that affect companies doing business in China, spotlighting areas including anti-graft, market supervision, antitrust, banking and insurance, propaganda and media, healthcare, environmental protection, natural resources and tax administration.

In March 2023, the NPC approved a new round of the State Council institutional reform plan, adjusting the functions of some government authorities and establishing two new agencies. For more information, see Legal Update, NPC Approves State Council Institutional Reform Plan.