Premier specifies measures for next phase in administration reform

2018-03-22
english.gov.cn

Premier Li Keqiang specified six measures for the next phase of administration reform as he answered a question raised by China Daily at a news conference on March 20.

“The government will cut the time it takes for starting a company by another half, reduce the time required for permitting a project by another half, put in place, at the national level, an e-platform for accessing government services,” he said of the reform of “streamlining administration, delegating power and improving public service”.

“We will work to see that companies and citizens get paperwork done in just one office, without the need for a second trip, ensure that any certification that has no basis in law or regulations be canceled.”

That reform has long been a focus of domestic and foreign media at the Premier’s annual news conference.

These six measures, together with cutting taxes and corporate fees, are all reforms that will require government’s sacrifice, he said.

Reuters commented that Premier Li offered further explanations on his idea of streamlining administration and delegating power, which has been high on the agenda since he took office.

The six measures demonstrate that the new administration is determined to continue to expand government reforms to tackle problems such as high institutional costs and excessive red tape, according to a media report.

These measures, though simple, will bring about substantial reforms, including cutting the time it takes to open a business and the time to review a project application. The former has been internationally recognized as an important indicator for assessing the business environment, while the latter has been a tough issue in administrative streamlining.

“Many small problems actually involve major policies,” Premier Li said at the news conference on March 20, adding that reforms should meet both market needs and people’s expectations.

“Delegating powers is to release market vitality, while conducting supervision is for fairness!” Premier Li said. “Hence, the government should further strengthen supervision, to regulate market order, and to root out and punish those who sell counterfeits, cheat people and create improper monopolies, as these behaviors hamper fairness, innovation and social morality.”

Premier Li stressed that related departments should never bring trouble to citizens while conducting supervision. In the new State Council line-up, departments involved in market supervision were integrated in order to facilitate law enforcement and better protect vendors, he added.

“Promoting reform and improving services are all for a better business environment and more benefits to the people,” Premier Li said at the press conference on March 20.

“We will do whatever it takes as long as it is in the interest of the people,” he added.