China's Civil Affairs Minister Li Liguo said the ministry is working on an amendment to the 1993 standard for establishing a city and more counties may become cities.

Li stressed that not all counties will be made into cities as they must meet requirements in population and level of economic and social development. Large towns will have more power to manage their economic and social affairs and steer their own development.

Also at Thursday's press conference, Li said the government plans to disaffiliate industrial associations from government departments. From the end of January, a pilot program will be launched for about 100 national associations and by the end of 2015 all such organizations will be separate from the administration, Li said.