TITLE:
The Impact of Local Government Power Reform on Local Public Services: Evidence from Suzhou, China
AUTHORS:
Ximing Yang
KEYWORDS:
Local Governance, Decentralization, Centralization
JOURNAL NAME:
Chinese Studies,
Vol.15 No.1,
January
13,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study evaluates the impact of local government power reforms in Suzhou, China, on public services. Using a value-added analysis of survey data from residents, it compares perceptions before and after the 2010 reforms. The key finding is that while the reform generally improved public service capacity, the improvements did not meet residents’ expectations, with mixed results across different service areas due to a subsequent phase of re-centralization.