1. Ministry of Personnel (吏部, lìbù)
Ancient Role: Managed the appointment, evaluation, and promotion of officials.
Modern Equivalent: Today, this function is largely performed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源和社会保障部, Rénlì Zīyuán hé Shèhuì Bǎozhàng Bù). Its focus is broader, covering not only civil service but also labor issues, social security, and human resources.
Changes: The ancient system was focused on officials and bureaucracy, while the modern ministry deals with employment, social security, and broader labor policies.
2. Ministry of Revenue (户部, hùbù)
Ancient Role: Managed state finances, taxation, and land administration.
Modern Equivalent: Ministry of Finance (财政部, Cáizhèng Bù) handles public finance, including taxation, government spending, and financial regulations.
Changes: While the basic function of managing finances remains the same, the scope has expanded to include modern financial systems and global trade.
3. Ministry of Rites (礼部, lǐbù)
Ancient Role: Responsible for rituals, ceremonies, diplomatic relations, and examinations.
Modern Equivalent: No direct modern equivalent exists. The Ministry of Education (教育部, Jiàoyù Bù) has absorbed the function related to the examination system (imperial exams). Rituals and diplomacy have been incorporated into various ministries such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部, Wàijiāo Bù) for diplomacy.
Changes: The ceremonial and religious functions have become less relevant in the modern era, focusing now on international relations and education systems.
4. Ministry of War (兵部, bīngbù)
Ancient Role: Managed military affairs, troop deployments, and defense.
Modern Equivalent: Ministry of National Defense (国防部, Guófáng Bù) manages the military and defense. There is also the Central Military Commission (中央军事委员会, Zhōngyāng Jūnshì Wěiyuánhuì), which is responsible for military leadership.
Changes: The focus is now on modern defense strategies, technology, and coordination with global military policies.
5. Ministry of Justice (刑部, xíngbù)
Ancient Role: Handled judicial matters, legal cases, and punishments.
Modern Equivalent: Ministry of Justice (司法部, Sīfǎ Bù) still exists in modern China and continues to handle judicial administration, legal reforms, and oversight of the legal system.
Changes: The ancient Ministry of Justice was more focused on criminal cases, whereas the modern Ministry of Justice oversees a broader legal system including civil law, legal reforms, and legal services.
6. Ministry of Works (工部, gōngbù)
Ancient Role: Oversaw public works, construction, and infrastructure.
Modern Equivalent: Functions have been divided across multiple ministries such as the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (住房和城乡建设部, Zhùfáng hé Chéngxiāng Jiànshè Bù), Ministry of Transport (交通运输部, Jiāotōng Yùnshū Bù), and Ministry of Water Resources (水利部, Shuǐlì Bù).
Changes: The modern equivalents deal with more specific aspects of infrastructure, urban planning, transport, and water management, reflecting the complexity of modern society.
7. Imperial Censorate (御史台, Yùshǐ Tái)
Ancient Role: Supervised government officials and investigated corruption.
Modern Equivalent: National Supervisory Commission (国家监察委员会, Guójiā Jiānchá Wěiyuánhuì) is responsible for overseeing the conduct of public officials and fighting corruption.
Changes: This function has been integrated into anti-corruption efforts and is a key part of modern governance under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
8. Ministry of Civil Appointments (选部, xuǎnbù)
Ancient Role: Managed the civil service examination system and appointment of officials.
Modern Equivalent: The examination function has been absorbed into the Ministry of Education and other administrative appointment duties are now handled by the Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party (中共中央组织部, Zhōnggòng Zhōngyāng Zǔzhī Bù).
Changes: The CCP now oversees the civil service system and promotions, whereas in ancient times it was done through more public bureaucratic channels.
9. Ministry of Public Security (巡抚, xúnfǔ or 度支, dùzhī)
Ancient Role: Managed local law enforcement and public order.
Modern Equivalent: Ministry of Public Security (公安部, Gōng'ān Bù) is the modern equivalent, handling law enforcement, police activities, and internal security.
Changes: The modern Ministry of Public Security oversees a much more complex and widespread policing system, with a focus on both civil and political order.
10. Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部, Mínzhèng Bù)
Ancient Role: Managed household registration, welfare, and disaster relief (sometimes under the Ministry of Revenue).
Modern Equivalent: Ministry of Civil Affairs (民政部, Mínzhèng Bù) still exists in modern China, handling welfare programs, disaster relief, and population registration.
Changes: The role has been expanded to include more modern welfare programs, charity organizations, and urban-rural population management.
-
Ministry that have been renamed or significantly changed:
Ministry of Rites (礼部, lǐbù): The ceremonial and diplomatic functions have been absorbed by ministries like Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部, Wàijiāo Bù), and the examination system by Ministry of Education (教育部, Jiàoyù Bù).
Ministry of Civil Appointments (选部, xuǎnbù): Now part of the Organization Department of the CCP.
Imperial Censorate (御史台, Yùshǐ Tái): Now the National Supervisory Commission, but the role in monitoring officials remains similar.