China rolls out plan to transform govt functions

BEIJING - The State Council plans to transform government functions at ministerial level to reduce administrative intervention in the market and social issues, according to a report to be delivered by State Councilor Ma Kai to the parliament's annual session on Sunday.

The plan by China's Cabinet aims to build an efficient and law-based government with clear division of power, reasonable distribution of labor, and well-defined responsibility, says the report on the State Council's institutional reform plan.

In a bid to offer quality public services and promote social justice, the State Council plan outlines major problems in the existing functions of the central government, and sets the orientation, principles and priorities in transforming the ministerial functions.

"Departments of the State Council are now focusing too much on micro issues. We should attend to our duties and must not meddle in what is not in our business," it reads, noting overlapping in government functions often leads to buck-passing inside government departments.

The official reform plan came amid mounting public calls to boost government transparency and efficiency and curb corruptions.

While delivering his last government work report on Tuesday to the top legislature, Premier Wen Jiabao acknowledged some government departments are prone to corruption, saying the central government is "keenly aware that we still face many difficulties and problems" in the economic and social development.

Wen vowed to continue transforming government functions, separate government administration from the management of enterprises, state assets, public institutions and social organizations to build a "well-structured, clean, efficient and service-oriented government".

Bigger role for market 

According to the plan, the government should work hard to address the relations between the government and the market, between the government and the society, ensure the market's fundamental role in allocating resources and let social organizations play a better role in managing social issues.

The plan vows to cut the review and approval of investment projects to minimize the inconvenience and high costs involved when enterprises and individuals are trying to obtain the services they require and boost their independence to start a business or make an investment.

For those investment projects still subject to state approval, the plan introduces a proceeding deadline with simplified procedures for each case, while emphasizing on enhanced management over land use, energy consumption and emission of pollutant to prevent duplication in investment and disorderly competition.

The plan also pledges to keep fewer review and approval items over business and operation activities, minimize issuing certificate license according to the Administrative License Law, reduce administrative fees and charges and gradually reform the registry of industrial and commercial entities with looser conditions.