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Abstract
In this research, we examine the institutions of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and its political role from a historical perspective. By studying the ACFIC’s leadership, governing structure, and the activities of its affiliated business chambers and members, we argue that the ACFIC has evolved beyond its original mechanism as a component of the united front work and played an increasingly important role in the Party-state’s economic governance. Consequent to this development, nowadays the ACFIC has become a formal channel for private enterprises to articulate their collective interests and influence the national policy-making process.
Notes
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
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28 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1953. http://www.acfic.org.cn/gslgk_303/dbdh/yjdbdh/201405/t20140528_1666.html.
29 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1956. http://www.acfic.org.cn/gslgk_303/dbdh/yjdbdh_400_1/200909/t20090902_1673.html.
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33 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1979.
34 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1983.
35 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1988.
36 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1993.
37 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1997.
43 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 1988.
44 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 2007.
47 All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Charter, 2017.
51 Private interview with C, staff member of the ACFIC on 20 September 2016.
52 The Ministry of Transport et al., “Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Acceleration of Car Repair Industry and Improving Service Quality,” 72–75.
64 Interview with S, a staff member of Shandong Federation of Industry and Commerce on 30 July 2016.
66 See note 60 above.
67 Interview with P, a staff member of Guangdong Federation of Industry and Commerce on 10 September 2016.
68 Ministry of Civil Affairs, Notice on Issues Related to the State Council’s Authorization of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce as the Administration Unit of National-Level Social Organizations, 2009.
70 Zhonghua Quanguo Gongshang Ye Lianhe Hui Jianshi (1953–2013) (A Brief History of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (1953–2013), pp. 205–208.
71 Ibid., 301.
72 Statistics by the author according to public information
74 See note 66 above.
79 Interview with a staff member of the Guangdong Federation of Industry and Commerce on 14 December 2016.
81 See note 66 above.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Minglu Chen
Minglu Chen is a senior lecturer in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney. Her research is concentrated on social and political change in China, especially the interaction between Chinese entrepreneurs and the state. She is the author of Tiger Girls: Women and Enterprises in the People’s Republic of China (Routledge 2011).
Dongya Huang
Dongya Huang is a professor in the Political Science Department at Sun Yat-sen University. Her current research interest concerns the state–business relationship in China, with a particular focus on the business sector’s influence on policy. Her papers have been published in the Journal of Contemporary China, Modern China and various other Chinese journals.