Interagency Collaboration and Blame Avoidance: An Investigation of China’s Childcare Service Development

ABSTRACT: Childcare services are becoming increasingly important in Chinese society in a context of declining birth rates and rapid population ageing. Based on a case study in three county-level regions in Shaanxi Province, this research identifies a reluctance among local health bureau officials to expand childcare services. This hesitation stems from blame-avoidance motivations shaped by existing institutional arrangements. Despite the central government’s introduction of a joint meeting mechanism, its effectiveness in enhancing interagency collaboration has been limited. The development of childcare services also provides valuable insights into policy implementation by Chinese local governments, particularly in the execution of policies that require interagency collaboration. KEYWORDS: Chinese public policies, childcare services, interagency collaboration, blame avoidance, fragmented authorities.