China to further simplify administrative procedures, delegate power

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets the press at the Great Hall of the People after the conclusion of the annual national legislative session in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

China will forge ahead with reform to balance the government-market relationship, pledging simplified administrative procedures and delegation of power, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday.

"We are fully determined to push the reform forward until our job is done, no matter what obstacles -- or even resistance -- we may encounter," Li told a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

Noting that the government has finished the tasks for the current term of office, set in early 2013, the next round of reform will address the remaining multitude of administrative permits, qualification certificates, and various fees levied on businesses, Li said.

The premier said the government needs to focus more on poverty alleviation, rebuilding of urban run-down areas, providing compulsory education and meeting people's basic healthcare needs.

The government needs to further improve its oversight and offer better services to businesses and the people, Li said.

"When market access is widened, the focus of the government is ensuring an equal playing field for all market entities," the premier said, adding that any violation of laws or regulations will be seriously dealt with.

The government should send a resounding "yes" to all law-abiding market entities, flash the green light of "go ahead" to all hardworking entrepreneurs and innovators, and deal with all violations by showing them a yellow card as a stern warning or in serious cases, a red card to kick them out of the market, Li said.