ABSTRACT
There are over 2,000 counties and 427 county-status cities in China covering all rural areas and approximately 900 million peasants.1 County authorities as a basic level of governmental organ and authority have survived without interruption in China for over 2,000 years. The county government has served for centuries as the most important intermediary linking the central and provincial government and the people. The central government has relied heavily on county governments for implementing its policies and maintaining local stability. Historically, the county government throughout Chinese history has performed similar functions and has been charged with the comprehensive responsibility of administering local affairs concerning justice, public order, tax collection, economic development, agriculture, education, defense and promotion of culture and traditions. County officials in China have often been referred to as “father and mother officials” (fu mu guan) who are expected to take care of their subjects in all aspects of their lives.
