Tasks and responsibilities have been determined and assigned to different departments after a teleconference on administrative reform was held on Sept 11, 2020, to further optimize the business environment, according to a circular issued by the State Council on Nov 10.

As stated in the circular, good practices in implementation of the mechanism for directly funneled funds will be studied and institutionalized. Tax and fee cut policies should be carried out, providing support to employment, people's livelihoods and market entities.

Regular epidemic prevention and control mechanism of COVID-19 should be constantly improved, increasing efficiency and accuracy. Efforts should be made to boost recovery of passenger transport, catering, tourism and hotel industries.

The State Council asked related departments to make a list of administrative approval items already in place before the end of June 2021. Also by then, a new batch of administrative approval items that apply to cancelation, delegation or change of management will be studied and proposed.

Innovative attempts are encouraged in inclusive and prudent supervision, the circular said. By the end of March 2021, new measures should be brought up on pushing forward Internet Plus, to foster new driving forces for economic development. Before the end of 2021, a guiding instruction should be formulated to adopt inclusive and prudent supervision on new business models. Before the end of 2020, documents guiding the competition in a platform economy should be released to create a favorable environment for its development.

In addition, Internet Plus administrative services should be expanded and online administrative services should be available around the clock.

Inter-provincial administrative services should be promoted by establishing unified standards and mutual recognition of electronic certificates. Education, social security and healthcare can be forerunners in promoting inter-provincial administrative services.

The Foreign Investment Law and supporting regulations must be strictly followed, eliminating regulations and documents that are in violation, to make sure that foreign and domestic enterprises are treated equally. Negative lists for foreign investment should also be fully carried out. Effective measures should be taken to attract foreign capital.

Customs clearance procedures should be optimized, by expanding access to port services, introducing a competition mechanism, increasing service efficiency and lowering charges, according to the circular.