China to amend 26 laws to cut red-tape

China's top legislature Monday heard a bill on amendments to a total of 26 laws, streamlining administration and delegating powers to lower level governments.

The amendments will be made to laws including drug administration, education, postal service, railway, tax, tobacco monopoly and pollution.

The bill was submitted to the bimonthly legislative session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which runs from Monday to Friday.

Taxpayers will no longer need to "make a written application" and "get approval from examining authority" before they get tax reductions or exemptions, according to one amendment.

The bill removes administrative approval for qualifications of insurance salespersons, insurance brokers, urban and rural planners and special equipment inspectors.

Drug producers will need to visit provincial drug supervisors to get certified.

The bill also allows competitive prices for drugs, railways and postal services. The prices of drugs, railway tickets, parcel freight and postal fees will be determined by both the government and market, according to proposed amendments.

"Price administrative departments of the State Council will make supervising regulations, increase supervision over prices, and deal with violators," said Song Dahan, director of the legislative affairs office of the State Council, China's cabinet. Endi