【Author】 Yang Kaifeng; Xing Xiaoyu; School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China;

【Abstract】 Different views exist as to whether there should be a national framework for local governments’ performance management efforts. The theoretical literature has paid insufficient attention to the central-local dimension of government performance measurement. The article examines this issue by studying the UK experience. UK has developed three types of local performance management systems that fit different central-local contexts, displaying a diverse set of evaluators, indicator formulators, evaluation modes, and information uses. The UK experience suggests that attention should be paid to four issues when strengthening China’s local government performance management: balancing the national mandate and local diversity, assigning provincial governments the key role of coordination while promoting wide participation from other stakeholders, adjusting the system according to environment change and reform progress, and focusing on public services improvement and intergovernmental learning.

【Key words】 performance management； local government； central-local relationship； the UK；