Premier Li Keqiang asked for more efforts to build a market-oriented and international business environment under the rule of law in an instruction to a teleconference on pushing forward separation of business licenses and operation permits in pilot free trade zones on Dec 2 in Beijing.

The reform to separate business licenses and operation permits is an important step in administrative reform, optimizing business environment and stimulating market vitality, Premier Li said in the instruction.

In recent years, China's business environment has been improving, seeing huge leaps in its global ranking. However, he added, there still remains a gap with the international advanced level. Even among cities on the list, Chinese cities lag behind.

Thus, China must make its business environment more market-oriented, law-based and international through administrative reform, especially the reform to separate business licenses and operation permits, the Premier said.

Efforts should be stepped up to reduce required permits and certificates after enterprises receive business licenses, and streamline administrative approvals. The problem of companies being unable to operate even after they have received business licenses must be completely resolved to encourage more enterprises to start up and develop, he added.

Vice-Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addressed the meeting.

Han said the reform to separate business licenses and operation permits is the key foundation to implement the spirit of the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and promote modernization of the state governance system.

He added the government should speed up transformation of functions and improve administrative capacity under the rule of law, and make more efforts to solve problems of market players in the reform.

Han emphasized carrying out high-quality reform of separating operation permits and business licenses in all pilot free trade zones to improve performance of the reform.

To realize full coverage, a checklist management system should be set to include all items related to enterprises’ business license, he said, adding the goals of reform must be clear and transparent.

He also urged steadily advancing reform by canceling approvals, replacing approvals with document filing, implementing notification commitments and optimizing approval services.

“Notification commitment is the key, so we must improve relevant regulations and industry standards, clarify the respective responsibilities of government and enterprises and implement notification and commitment according to legal procedures,” Han urged.

Proactivity and post-supervision is the bottom line, and the government should improve the construction of the credibility system, implement the blacklist management system and give full play to public opinion in supervision, he added.

State Councilors Wang Yong and Xiao Jie also attended the meeting.