In line with WTO rules and the Chinese government’s promise, the State Council recently issued a circular urging governments at all levels and related departments to further eliminate documents that link innovation policies with government procurement.

According to the circular, invalid documents and other that remain effective should be published to the general public, and no new ones should be added.

As early as Nov 17, 2011, the State Council released a circular asking local governments and departments to eliminate policies that link innovation policies with preferential government procurement starting Dec 1, 2011.

Local governments should revise any regulations that go against the State Council circular issued in 2011, and stay consistent with the central government’s promise.

Related work should be reported to the State Council by local governments before the end of December 2016, said the circular.