Interprovincial govt services promoted

The General Office of the State Council issued a set of guidelines on Sept 29 to promote interprovincial government services, urging local governments to offer enterprises and people easier access to such services.

The move is part of efforts to transform government functions, streamline administration and enhance governments’ service delivery.

The document said China will facilitate interprovincial government services related to 140 items in high demand. The first batch of 58 items, including the registration of market entities, will be made available by the end of this year.

The circular said interprovincial services related to people’s livelihoods were a priority, including those involving education, employment, social insurance, healthcare, housing and travel.

To support enterprises in their production and operations, the document stressed the need to simplify approval procedures for cross-regional investment and construction projects.

All regions will be encouraged to spearhead pilot trans-provincial service programs and to facilitate access to government services.

The document called for all procedures for administrative items on a national integrated platform for government services to be handled online.

For service items that must be legally provided on site, the document required the establishment of a unified window in government service halls for cross-provincial processing of materials.

It also stressed the need for interdepartmental coordination to minimize office visits by applicants, with documents shared via the national platform.

Local authorities are urged to make specific plans to implement the guidelines, it added.