A minister refers to the head of a government department, who is responsible for specific areas, such as national defense, environment, finance, justice, education, etc. , shouldering the heavy responsibility of government operation. In countries and regions where the cabinet system is implemented, ministers are members of the cabinet, so they are also called cabinet members or cabinet ministers. If the state system is a monarchy, it is usually called a minister.

The central government system in ancient China was composed of three provinces and six departments, and the length of one department was called Shangshu. In the early years of the Republic of China, the Ministry was located under the the State Council, and the commander-in-chief was the chief; After the National Government unified China, the heads of departments of the central government were collectively called ministers, and the heads of committees at the same level were called chairmen.

Prime Minister of the UK

When addressing the head of a cabinet department, we use the term Secretary, which is officially called Secretary of State for department (Chinese: Minister of a Ministry). For example, william haig is the British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, and his English title is Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

When addressing the head of a department in charge of specific affairs, the official title is Minister of State for something, which refers to the specific affairs that the head is in charge of in the department. For example, Nick Herbert is the Minister of State for Criminal Offences and Public Safety at the British Home Office. His English title is Minister of State for Police and Criminal Justice.