Streamlining government services: Shandong's approval model

The Lin'gang district of Weihai city – located in East China's Shandong province – is rolling out a minimalist approval model, in order to enhance the efficiency and convenience of its municipal government services for the general public.

An aerial view of Lin'gang district, in Weihai city. [Photo by Zhou Xiliang for chinadaily.com.cn]

One example of this approach is that the local authorities have improved the efficiency of food business approvals.

Adopting an "apply now, get it done" approach, bulk food businesses can now obtain their licenses within just 30 minutes, cutting down processing steps by 50 percent and simplifying documentation by 40 percent. So far, 54 businesses are estimated to have benefited from this reform.

Additionally, for the pre-prepared food business segment, they've introduced a "no-need application" approach – further streamlining the process with one-stop processing of business licenses and permits. Businesses also receive personalized on-site and online assistance, with government service managers providing support for opening, modifying and closing businesses.

Lin'gang now offers 60 standardized "package-style" services, covering various industries such as food, education and human resources.

The local authorities have also introduced 10 high-frequency tax and licensing services that can be completed online. To ensure smooth coordination and efficiency, the government has assigned dedicated service managers to handle tax and licensing matters, expediting the approval process.

Moving forwards, plans are for Lin'gang to further simplify its procedures and create an even more efficient minimalist approval model that serves the public much better. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)