BEIJING — China will further streamline taxation procedures to make services more convenient and efficient for the public, the country's taxation regulator said on Oct 30.

The new policy, effective from Dec 1, 2019, will shorten the processing time of certain administrative licensing items related to taxes, Fu Shulin, a spokesman with the State Taxation Administration, told a press conference.

Under the policy, procedures of applying for deferred tax payments and tax declarations will be simplified, Fu said.

Meanwhile, the taxation authority also updated a regulation concerning non-residential taxpayers, in a bid to reduce their tax burdens and provide easier access to preferential treatment.

Measures will be implemented to facilitate tax and fee payments, Fu said, adding that the steps were in line with the latest regulation on improving the business environment.

On Oct 23, the State Council made public a regulation on optimizing the business environment to unleash and develop productive forces and advance high-quality development.