Streamlining administration, delegating government power to lower levels, strengthening regulation and improving service are the highlights of government work this year.

Premier Li Keqiang focused on the reform of government functions at this year’s first State Council executive meeting on Jan 4, just as he did at the first executive meeting since taking office as premier in 2013, and at each opening executive meeting ever since.

The State Council has seen progress by canceling or delegating 618 administrative items that need central government’s approval. It also canceled 230 items reviewed by local authorities and overhauled 303 intermediary services.

Premier Li attends the symposium on streamlining administration, delegating government power to lower levels, strengthening regulation and improving service in Shanghai, Nov 21, 2016.

The meeting on Jan 4 focused more on the transformation of government functions, including canceling 53 more administrative approval items and 20 intermediary services, approving a market supervision plan for the 13th Five-Year Plan period, and enhancing government management and service.

However, the reform is at a crucial stage. The government has to overhaul some procedures that seem practical but in actuality are affecting market operation, and overhaul irregular intermediary services, especially the ones manipulated by government officials.

The government is facing challenges in regards to supervision, especially during and after business approval, and improving services.

Therefore, more work must be done to push government reform forward to invigorate enterprises and the market, according to the Premier.