Premier spells out four key tasks to strengthen governance

The new government will take the new round of State institutional reform as an opportunity to strengthen governance, Premier Li Qiang said at a news conference on Monday, laying out four priorities for the government.

The State Council must take the lead in promoting the practice of research and studies, Li said.

He said the government will encourage officials at all levels to engage more with local communities to learn about the people's needs, seek their opinions, learn from them and help them solve problems.

The government must promote governance according to law, Li said. The country will continue to promote the building of a law-based government, he said, calling for public servants to strengthen their capacity to use the method and mentality of rule of law to solve problems.

Also, the government needs to explore innovative ways to perform its duties, Li said.

When dealing with matters concerning regulation and approval, relevant government departments should not just "slam on the brake", but should also "hit the accelerator", the premier said, adding that the government is firmly opposed to "pointless formality and bureaucratism in all forms".

The fourth priority is to uphold the principle of integrity, according to Li. The government will apply stringent standards and requirements in building a clean government, and take a "zero-tolerance" attitude to all acts of corruption, he said.