Prefectures are one of four types of prefecture-level divisions in China, the second-level administrative division in the country. While at one time prefectures were the most common prefecture-level division, they are in the process of being abolished and only seven formally-designated prefectures remain.
The term "prefecture" is also used as a translation of three unrelated types of administrative divisions that were historically in use in China: the xian, the zhou, and the fu.
Prefectures are administrative subdivisions of provincial-level divisions. The constitution of the People's Republic of China does not endorse any prefecture-level division, except for autonomous prefectures. Prefectures and leagues are not at all mentioned; provinces are explicitly stated to be divided directly into counties.
The administrative commission (Chinese: 行政公署; pinyin: xíngzhèng gōngshǔ) is an administrative branch office with the rank of a national ministerial department (司级) and dispatched by the higher-level provincial government. The leader of the prefecture government, titled as prefectural administrative commissioner (行政公署专员; xíngzhèng gōngshǔ zhūanyūan), is appointed by the provincial government. Instead of local people's congresses, the prefecture's working commission of the standing committee of the provincial people's congress is dispatched and supervises the prefecture governments but can not elect or dismiss prefecture governments.[1] The prefecture's working committee of the provincial committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPCC) is a part of the prefecture's committee of the CPPCC. This means that the prefecture's working committee of the CPPCC is a branch of the provincial committee of the CPPCC, not an individual society entity. The same is valid for provincial CPPCCs, which are formally sections of the national CPPCC.
The term "prefecture" derives from the former circuit, which was a level between provinces and the counties during the Qing dynasty. In 1928, the government of the Republic of China abolished circuits and provinces began to administer counties directly; however, this reform was soon found unfeasible because some provinces had hundreds of counties. Consequently, in 1932, provinces were again subdivided into several prefectures, and regional administrative offices were set up.
In general the word "prefecture" is applied to xian for the period before the Sui and Tang dynasties; for the period after, xian are called "districts" or "counties", while "prefectures" refer to zhou and fu.
Xian (县/縣) were first established during the Warring States period, and have existed continuously ever since. Today, they continue to form an important part of the political divisions of China.
Xian has been translated using several English language terms. In the context of ancient history, "district" and "prefecture" are the most commonly used terms, while "county" is generally used for more contemporary contexts.
Zhou (州) were first established during the Han dynasty, and were abolished only with the establishment of the Republic of China.
Zhou is generally translated as "province" or "region" for the period before the Sui dynasty, and "prefecture" for the period from the Sui dynasty onwards.
The People's Republic of China has revived the word zhou as part of the term "zizhizhou" (自治州), which is translated as "autonomous prefectures", as described above.
Fu (府) were first established during the Tang dynasty, and were also abolished with the establishment of the Republic of China.
During the Tang and Song dynasties, the term was mainly applied to prefectures with major urban centers. For this period, it is often translated as "urban prefecture" or "superior prefecture". Later, however, most first-level prefectures under provinces would become known as fu.
^"The standing committee of the people’s congress of a province and autonomous region may set up administrative offices in the prefectures under its jurisdiction." from Item 2, Article 53, Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments of the People’s Republic of China (2004 Revision)
October 23, 2023
prefectures, china, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, decembe. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Prefectures of China news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message Prefectures are one of four types of prefecture level divisions in China the second level administrative division in the country While at one time prefectures were the most common prefecture level division they are in the process of being abolished and only seven formally designated prefectures remain Prefecture地区 DiquCategorySecond level administrative division of a unitary stateLocationChinaNumber7 prefecturesPopulations95 465 Ngari 3 979 362 Kaxgar Areas46 755 km2 18 052 sq mi Daxing anling 304 683 km2 117 639 sq mi Ngari GovernmentVarious Central GovernmentSubdivisionsCountiesThe term prefecture is also used as a translation of three unrelated types of administrative divisions that were historically in use in China the xian the zhou and the fu Contents 1 Modern prefectures 1 1 List of prefectures 2 Historical prefectures 2 1 Xian 2 2 Zhou 2 3 Fu 3 See also 4 ReferencesModern prefectures EditPrefectures are administrative subdivisions of provincial level divisions The constitution of the People s Republic of China does not endorse any prefecture level division except for autonomous prefectures Prefectures and leagues are not at all mentioned provinces are explicitly stated to be divided directly into counties The administrative commission Chinese 行政公署 pinyin xingzheng gōngshǔ is an administrative branch office with the rank of a national ministerial department 司级 and dispatched by the higher level provincial government The leader of the prefecture government titled as prefectural administrative commissioner 行政公署专员 xingzheng gōngshǔ zhuanyuan is appointed by the provincial government Instead of local people s congresses the prefecture s working commission of the standing committee of the provincial people s congress is dispatched and supervises the prefecture governments but can not elect or dismiss prefecture governments 1 The prefecture s working committee of the provincial committee of the Chinese People s Political Consultative Conference CPCC is a part of the prefecture s committee of the CPPCC This means that the prefecture s working committee of the CPPCC is a branch of the provincial committee of the CPPCC not an individual society entity The same is valid for provincial CPPCCs which are formally sections of the national CPPCC The term prefecture derives from the former circuit which was a level between provinces and the counties during the Qing dynasty In 1928 the government of the Republic of China abolished circuits and provinces began to administer counties directly however this reform was soon found unfeasible because some provinces had hundreds of counties Consequently in 1932 provinces were again subdivided into several prefectures and regional administrative offices were set up List of prefectures Edit Name Chinese Provincial level region Population 2010 Area km2 Prefecture seatDaxing anling Prefecture 大兴安岭地区 Heilongjiang 511 564 46 755 Jiagedaqi District de facto Mohe city de jure Ngari Prefecture 阿里地区 Tibet 95 465 304 683 Senggezangbo town Gar CountyAltay Prefecture 阿勒泰地区 Xinjiang 603 280 117 988 Altay cityTacheng Prefecture 塔城地区 Xinjiang 1 219 212 94 891 Tacheng cityKashgar Prefecture 喀什地区 Xinjiang 3 979 362 112 058 Kashgar cityAksu Prefecture 阿克苏地区 Xinjiang 2 370 887 128 099 Aksu cityHotan Prefecture 和田地区 Xinjiang 2 014 365 248 946 Hotan cityHistorical prefectures EditIn general the word prefecture is applied to xian for the period before the Sui and Tang dynasties for the period after xian are called districts or counties while prefectures refer to zhou and fu Xian Edit See also Counties of the People s Republic of China Xian 县 縣 were first established during the Warring States period and have existed continuously ever since Today they continue to form an important part of the political divisions of China Xian has been translated using several English language terms In the context of ancient history district and prefecture are the most commonly used terms while county is generally used for more contemporary contexts Zhou Edit Main article Zhou country subdivision Zhou 州 were first established during the Han dynasty and were abolished only with the establishment of the Republic of China Zhou is generally translated as province or region for the period before the Sui dynasty and prefecture for the period from the Sui dynasty onwards The People s Republic of China has revived the word zhou as part of the term zizhizhou 自治州 which is translated as autonomous prefectures as described above Fu Edit Main articles Fu country subdivision and List of fu prefectures of China Fu 府 were first established during the Tang dynasty and were also abolished with the establishment of the Republic of China During the Tang and Song dynasties the term was mainly applied to prefectures with major urban centers For this period it is often translated as urban prefecture or superior prefecture Later however most first level prefectures under provinces would become known as fu See also EditAdministrative divisions of China Prefecture level divisions of ChinaPrefecture level city Leagues in China Autonomous prefectureReferences Edit The standing committee of the people s congress of a province and autonomous region may set up administrative offices in the prefectures under its jurisdiction from Item 2 Article 53 Organic Law of the Local People s Congresses and Local People s Governments of the People s Republic of China 2004 Revision Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Prefectures of China amp oldid 1154337346, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
