Invigorating power cuts

THE LATEST STATE COUNCIL DECISION TO CUT pre-approval requirements and make examination and approval processes traceable by all is a welcome follow-up to recent initiatives to shorten the list of matters subject to government approval. It is conducive to both investment promotion and corruption prevention, especially as the economic locomotive loses steam and the government struggles with credibility.

The less-than-inspiring growth figures and prospects call for powerful pushes. Loosening the grip of the government's "visible hand" may substantially invigorate our market-driven economy, and in turn reduce the government's burden of macro-control, as well as likelihood of rent-seeking.

That sounds as good as it can get, like many other ear-pleasing propositions in the past, thanks particularly to the pains taken to combine less government intervention and more transparency with enterprises' autonomy in choosing intermediary services.