Local governments that successfully implement major policies could be given priority treatment on development projects, reforms and policies, according to a State Council’s circular released on Nov 17.

Local governments will be assessed on 24 criteria, including creating jobs, fighting poverty and cutting overcapacity in steel and coal industries, during annual and daily checks by the State Council.

Other criteria include pushing business registration reform, treasury management, environment protection, intensive exploitation of land, developing emerging industries and public hospital reforms.

Local governments are also tasked with promoting scientific research, mass innovation and entrepreneurship, the Made in China 2025 strategy and fixed-asset investment.

Rewards to be offered include more supportive policies, priority in reforms and development projects, loans, and government investment and subsidies.

In addition, local governments that are praised by the State Council for effective policy implementation will be exempt from the annual inspection in the next year.

From 2017, different departments of the State Council will be asked to submit the lists of the local governments that deserve rewards before the end of January each year.