Officials call for leaner government

Government departments should cut their power and reduce administrative procedures to improve efficiency, officials and governance experts have said.

Streamlining administration is a must to enhance the function of government, Zhang Yong, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, said during a seminar on cutting power and rule of law, conducted by the Chinese Academy of Governance on Sunday.

Since 2013, the commission has reduced a third of administrative approvals and canceled 35 items, according to Zhang.

More than 98 percent of overseas investment projects no longer need approval if they are promoted in China, he said, adding that they should put projects on file.

The commission established an information platform online in January hoping the public would submit applications from home, he added.

By July 1, the commission had received 710 applications via the platform, "and our officials have dealt with some in a timely manner," he said.

Liu Junchen, deputy director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, said his department had canceled 19 approvals last year and simplified many.

"We're also extending our e-license for people and companies that intend to enter the market, giving them easier access and accelerating our work process," he said.

Wang Ning, secretary of the Beijing Xicheng District Government, also spoke of achievements in reducing power in the region, saying every department's management had been studied via a power list. They had been asked to shorten the time of dealing with administrative affairs.

"Some projects that needed at least 30 workdays to complete have been shortened to at most five days, and we have 50 administrative items that can be finished immediately," Wang said.

But Han Yongwen, deputy director of the People's Congress in Hunan province, said some departments still hold unnecessary powers.

"Some don't cut powers for their own interests, while some appear to reduce administrative procedures, but in fact, don't," Han said. "Whether the power is cut or not is not transparent, which must be avoided"

Government departments should also improve supervision, Han suggested, adding that effective management would enhance work efficiency and ensure administrative affairs of high quality.