The State Council decided on June 27 to set up a leading group to advance reforms in government procurement of services.

The leading group is responsible for working on policies and measures for the reform, directing all regions and departments to push it forward, and addressing any trans-department and multi-field difficulties.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli was appointed leader of the group, while Lou Jiwei, minister of Finance, and Ding Xiangyang, deputy secretary-general of the State Council, will serve as deputies.

The group’s members also include senior officials at ministries and administrations under the State Council, such as Lian Weiliang, vice-director of the National Development and Reform Commission, Fan Yifei, vice-governor of the People’s Bank of China, and Gu Ju, vice-director of the State Administration of Taxation.

The office of the leading group was established at the Ministry of Finance.