State Council further simplifies approval process

The central government announced on Wednesday that it will eliminate or transfer another 70 administrative approval items to lower levels this year, as part of a move to further simplify approval procedures.

The items to be eliminated or transferred to lower levels fall under river transport, telecommunications, online higher education and qualification of employees in the insurance and accounting industries, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

All central government departments must announce the list of items for administrative approval for public supervision. The departments cannot add new approval items to the list by themselves.