The State Council decided to speed up the reform of administrative approvals by specifying several requirements for departments at its executive meeting on Jan 7.

The measures aim to boost the government’s credibility and executive ability, according to a statement released after the meeting, which was presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

Each department is required to designate a single location to receive applications for government approvals and to draw up a service guide for the public and businesses, containing application requirements, basic procedures and sample texts, it said.

A commitment to a time limit from the departments is also necessary once an application is accepted, and no department should extend the promised time limit.

The State Council told authorities to set universal standards for each approval, specifying the content and key areas they will examine, and to make procedures and results known to the public.

All departments are obliged to inform applicants of each procedure and to provide timely consultation services.

According to the statement, authorities should continue to push forward the implementation of online approvals and to strengthen information sharing between the central and local governments.

The meeting on Jan 7 also passed a package of revised draft amendments on education, and decided to further encourage private capital in setting up for-profit schools.