Reforms persist for vision

In a recent teleconference on reform aimed at reducing red tape and providing better government services, Premier Li Keqiang pointed out there was a noticeable gap between the results achieved and public expectations and vowed more efforts to push forward reforms.

Since the reform to streamline government procedures, overhaul market regulation and optimize government services was first put forward by Li in 2015, the effects have been evident nationwide. A survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics of 90,000 domestic industrial enterprises above a certain scale in the fourth quarter of 2016 indicated that the simplified administrative procedures along with increased support for innovation and tax cuts have been of great benefit to companies.

However, just as Premier Li said, more efforts are needed to overcome the challenges that have emerged now that the reforms have entered the deeper-water area. Some early examination and approval procedures have been abrogated in some areas, but the previous deep-rooted mindset has not been fully eradicated. In some regions, government departments are dragging their feet in accepting market innovations.