1. China ’ s National Effort in Monitoring and Evaluation Mei Wang Senior Economist The World Bank January 2007, Hanoi

2. Country Context: Country Context: China has achieved spectacular economic growth and social progress China has achieved spectacular economic growth and social progress

3. Yet, the country now faces a set of new developmental challenges after decades of GDP- centered economic growth, including a steady increase in income inequality. Country Context (cont’d)

4. The national leaders realize that it is imperative to introduce participation, transparency and accountability into government work to address the new challenges. The national leaders realize that it is imperative to introduce participation, transparency and accountability into government work to address the new challenges. Country Context (cont’d)

5. China’s National Effort in M&E Under its new 11 th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), prepared with broad participation, China has for the first time in its history established an M&E framework with outcome indicators and targets. Under its new 11 th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), prepared with broad participation, China has for the first time in its history established an M&E framework with outcome indicators and targets. It committed itself to conduct a mid-term review of the Plan, which will be reported to the National People’s Congress. It committed itself to conduct a mid-term review of the Plan, which will be reported to the National People’s Congress.

8. China’s National Effort in M&E (cont’d) A series of implementation measures were introduced to provide incentives for implementation. A series of implementation measures were introduced to provide incentives for implementation. – assigning responsible agencies – dividing national targets into provincial ones – establishing a public reporting system

10. Early results After only six months under the 11 th Plan, the monitoring results were released -- acknowledging the initial implementation failures of some key targets. Such level of transparency is unprecedented. After only six months under the 11 th Plan, the monitoring results were released -- acknowledging the initial implementation failures of some key targets. Such level of transparency is unprecedented. The publicity has stimulated open and active discussions among policy makers, experts and media. The publicity has stimulated open and active discussions among policy makers, experts and media.

11. Early results Provincial governments have developed performance criteria for high-ranking officials based on the targets. Provincial governments have developed performance criteria for high-ranking officials based on the targets. A public opinion pool was chosen—for the first time—as one of the means to evaluate officials. A public opinion pool was chosen—for the first time—as one of the means to evaluate officials.

12. Lessons Learned Lessons Learned Essential for the introduction of results- based national plans and transparency outcome monitoring systems are Essential for the introduction of results- based national plans and transparency outcome monitoring systems are –Political commitment from the top leaders –A strong and well-located champion –Access to international experience