China cuts non-administrative red tape
Xinhua, May 14, 2015 Adjust font size:
The State Council, China's cabinet, on Thursday canceled all non-administrative reviews to cut red tape and inject market vitality.
In a decision signed by Premier Li Keqiang, the State Council said it would remove 48 non-administrative review items and move another 84 items into an internal review category.
"As of today, the category of non-administrative review and approval no longer exists," read the statement urging further streamlining and delegation.
Fighting red tape has taken on extra urgency as growth slows and the economy is steered away from an unsustainable model powered by state investment toward one driven by private consumption and services.
Non-administrative reviews date back to 2004, one year after China published its Law on Administrative Approval.
Xu Jimin of Sichuan University, said unlike administrative reviews regulated by the Law on Administrative Approval, non-administrative reviews are often a result of "self-authorization" by government organs.
The central government has promised to cancel all non-administrative reviews this year.
"It goes without saying that powers should not be held without good reason," Premier Li said. Endi