Premier Li Keqiang presided over a State Council executive meeting on Dec 16 in Beijing where he discussed issues of business license reform, hydropower and nuclear power projects, national annual rewards for science and technology, and the new administrative division map of Macao Special Administrative Region.

As an important measure to create a more favorable and convenient business environment and promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation, business license reform will be furthered as the meeting decided to carry out trials in Pudong New District of Shanghai.

Separating business licenses from administrative permits enables companies to run their businesses without obtaining administrative permits.

First, administrative approvals on issues, such as used motor vehicle appraisal and assessment and outdoor advertising, will be cancelled and companies will be able to operate immediately after receiving business licenses.

Second, for administrative approval on processing trade contracts, instead of getting the approval, companies will be authorized to operate after handing in relevant materials which will be put on record by administrative department.

Third, for some administrative approvals that cannot be abolished for the time being, including business license of motor vehicle maintenance, companies can get business permits by promising the government that they meet the approval qualifications required by the government and handing in relevant materials.

In addition, for the business licenses regarding public security, environmental protection, and people’s life and property security, the government will strengthen management of market access and risk control.

The meeting approved Wudongde hydropower station on Jinsha River, part of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The meeting also approved two nuclear projects, both on coastline cities, one in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region using the third-generation technology and the other in Lianyungang of Jiangsu province.

It called for strict management of the nuclear projects, to ensure high security standards during construction, as well as proper handling of the ecological impact, water pollution and the resettlement of the affected residents when proceeding with the hydropower projects

After hearing a report on the review of national annual rewards for science and technology 2015, the meeting approved the list of candidates as well as the categories and levels of the rewards.

The meeting stressed that further efforts should be made to improve the rewards review mechanism and encourage young talents in scientific and technological innovation.

The meeting also approved the draft of a new administrative division map of Macao Special Administrative Region which adjusts Macao’s land boundaries and defines water areas under its management.