Efforts should be accelerated to implement goals and tasks for transforming government functions, to support China in embarking on a new journey of building a modern socialist country, State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Xiao Jie said in an article published in People’s Daily.

The transformation should build a governance system with law-based administration and clarify the responsibilities of government departments, Xiao said.

The key, he said, lies in further moves to deepen administration streamlining and improve regulation and services, which will serve a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment.

Xiao also called for improving assessment systems for major policies both before and after they are implemented, for more science-based and democratic decision making that follows the rule of law.

Government services should also catch up, with uniform and standardized procedures, as well as more convenience and transparency, he added.