Chinese law makers are considering a plan for a government reshuffle, which is expected to help contain corruption along with other administrative reform initiatives.

The State Council proposal under discussion at the ongoing First Session of the 11th National People's Congress involves installing five "super ministries" and streamlining government department functions.

Under the plan, the National Development and Reform Commission would focus on macro-regulation and fade from micro-management of the economy by reducing its examination and approvals for projects.

The fresh round of reform would be a significant exploration in improving power checks and the supervision mechanism. It would result in terminating channels for power trading and other forms of corruption, said legislator Liu Xirong.

Imperfect supervisory and restrictive mechanisms on administrative powers have allowed the abuse of power, the misuse of power for profit, and various forms of corruption, the CPC Central Committee said.

One of the most striking cases of corruption over the past five years was that of Zheng Xiaoyu, former director of China's State Food and Drug Administration, who was executed after being convicted of taking 6.49 million yuan (US$915,322) in bribes in return for approving hundreds of medicines, including some that proved dangerous.

The case of former Shanghai Party chief Chen Liangyu has moved to a new stage. Chen has been expelled from the CPC and dismissed from all government posts and remains in jail awaiting trial.

The expected reform may lead to the establishment of a harmonious administrative mechanism allowing power checks among decision-making, enforcing, and supervision which would be conducive to eliminating the "tumor of corruption," according to Liu. He was former deputy secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The CPC Central Committee said pursuing further administrative reform was "imperative" in building a service-oriented, responsible, law-respecting and clean government.