Fading history
But not all share the same view as Mr. Xiao. To some people, especially those who were born and raised in the old districts, such places equate to history.
Prior to the mergers in both Beijing and Shanghai, residents posted articles online to honor the memory of some of the capital's districts.
In an online poll launched by a student last year, 86 percent of the 220 people who expressed an opinion said they didn't want the districts to be consolidated in Beijing. Ten percent said they didn't care about the issue.
Most of those who objected said the merger amounted to a demolition of the city's traditional culture.
The southern core in Beijing, where Xuanwu and Chongwen were located, has been seen by some native residents as the cultural origin of the capital city.
"It's a shame that we cannot keep the names," one posted online.
Despite the nostalgia, people have been able to find new surprises since the consolidations, as resources once owned by the northern districts are now open to the south. Students who live in Xuanwu can now apply for schools in Xicheng, for example.
In order to honor the old districts, district-level governments have planned to change some street names to Xuanwu and Chongwen.
Trimming the fat
Li Dong (alias), a former public servant with the culture committee of Xuanwu District who later transferred to the new Xicheng District, said many of his colleagues lost their jobs during the merger.
Li is among the tens of thousands of civil servants working for district-level authorities in the area. The district-level people's congresses, people's political consultative conferences, committees of the CPC (Communist Party of China), governments, procuratorates and courts have all undergone restructuring and consolidation.
The merger has brought major change to individuals. According to Li, many of his colleagues who were expecting promotions had found them more difficult to come by since the merger.
"I consider myself lucky; at least I still have the post," he said.
Jiao Hongchang, a law professor with the China University of Political Science and Law, said the selection of district chiefs is a more complicated process now, because only the district-level people's congresses, which hold plenary sessions once a year, have the authority to elect district chiefs.
Besides boosting the economy, the merger aims to improve efficiency by streamlining government organs. Many senior public servants were being encouraged to retire earlier, while others have been dismissed, a public servant with Chongwen District told China Economic Weekly on condition of anonymity.
"Now it only takes three people to do the jobs previously done by five," he said. "It is becoming more efficient."
