Validity to be reviewed before regulations take effect

A new mechanism will be established to review the legal validity of government regulatory documents before their implementation, high-ranking officials said.

The move was disclosed by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Thursday in a guideline to cut red tape and prevent the government from issuing regulations beyond its authority that could harm the rule of law and the public interest.

Liu Zhao, vice-minister of justice, said the guideline clarifies the scale, procedures, duties and responsibilities for regulatory reviews. It's part of the country's effort to preserve legislative unity and authority, accelerate building a government in line with law and improve governance, he said.