China hammers out rail restructuring: Sources

BEIJING (REUTERS) - China is likely to split its sprawling, scandal-plagued Railways Ministry into operations and commercial arms, two sources said, part of an overhaul of the bureaucracy as a new set of leaders takes charge in Beijing.

In other plans, the government is also likely to set up a single regulator for food safety, although details are still being finalised.

The changes will address long-standing inefficiencies. The Ministry of Railways has a reputation for insularity and corruption. Responsibility for food safety in China is currently divided among over a dozen agencies, meaning there is little effective oversight.

The changes are set to be approved at the annual full session of the National People's Congress, or parliament, which begins on Tuesday. A cabinet reshuffle is expected as Mr Xi Jinping takes over formally as president and Mr Li Keqiang as premier.