Beijing, May 11: China has dismissed as "seriously inaccurate" recent media reports that the government plans to establish 50 provinces after reorganising the existing 32 provinces and autonomous regions. "I again solemnly declare that it is a seriously inaccurate report that China will set up 50 provinces," said Dai Junliang, the director of the department of administrative divisions and place-name under the ministry of civil affairs.
"I hope the public will not believe such rumours," Dai said.
In recent years, voices of calling for a reform in China's division of administrative regions could always be heard in the country, Dai said.
However, he noted that it was reasonable for China to set up 50 or so provincial-level administrative regions taking into consideration China's territory and population.
At the same time, Dai said "it is unrealistic at present for China to divide its existing provinces in a large scale, given China's actual conditions."
"It will not only affect the social stability but also increase the cost in administrative management, so China will not take such an action in the near future," Dai said.
China has now 32 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions and two special administrative regions, namely, Hong Kong and Macao.
Bureau Report