China on Tuesday unveiled plans for the biggest ministry shake-up in years, including the merger of its banking and insurance regulators to reduce risks to its financial system from a rapid build-up in debt. The massive reshuffle plan of various ministries is aimed at making the government better-structured, more efficient, and service-oriented. China is also due to announce appointment of new ministers and officials, including the foreign minister, as part of changes in every five years.

The reform plan will be submitted to the ongoing first session of the National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberations, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. There will be 26 ministries and commissions of the State Council after the reshuffle, the report said. The sweeping changes include the merger of China's banking and insurance regulators and the setting up of a special bureau to oversee immigration issues, the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post reported.