Political advisers call for better government-business relations

Senior Chinese political advisers have called for building better relations between the government and businesses to boost the country's private economy.

At a symposium organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing on Tuesday, members of China's top political advisory body and representatives from all sectors of society - 31 altogether - gave their views about how to create a better environment for private companies.

China's top political adviser, Yu Zhengsheng, presided at the symposium. Senior officials from central government bodies also attended.

An initiative for a new type of government-business relationship was set in motion by President Xi Jinping in March last year. He urged government officials to engage in direct dialogue with private companies and offer services when they are in need of help.

Government officials have been instructed to maintain integrity in their relations with private companies and have been warned not to abuse their power for money.

Comments at the symposium addressed a number of issues.

"Private firms are prohibited from doing businesses in certain fields. They don't enjoy an equal position in the market with State-run companies," said Justin Yifu Lin, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC's National Committee.

Lin said many industries in China that are dominated by State-run enterprises have obtained a competitive edge through more than 30 years of rapid growth.

He suggested canceling protective subsidies for State-run companies and eliminating limited market access for private ones.

Liu Jipeng, a CPPCC member and an economics professor at China University of Political Science and Law, advised setting up a performance system for government to prevent corruption.

He suggested reducing the number of mediocre government functionaries, increasing salaries for outstanding officials and stepping up the supervision of public servants.

Participants also suggested offering more favorable policies - for example, simplified administrative procedures and lower taxes and fees - for private enterprises.

zhang_yi@chinadaily.com.cn