Unnecessary documentation to be eliminated

Justice Minister Fu Zhenghua said on Friday that documents or certificates not required by law or regulation will be canceled by the end of 2018, a move seen as part of the nation’s reform in governance.

The cancellation of unnecessary and redundant certification makes it more convenient for the public to access government services and increase people’s sense of gain, Fu said at a news conference of the State Council Information Office.

The move also helps improve law-based governance and build a government that satisfies the demands of the people, said Fu, whose ministry has been ordered to strengthen inspections of the process and ensure the work is completed on schedule.

On Thursday, the General Office of the State Council issued a document that set a timetable to remove a number of requirements for government-related applications.

Efforts are needed to clean up the application process for individuals and businesses when accessing government services, it said.

Regulations and documents that endorse unnecessary certificates should be amended or abolished, it said.

It also urged State Council departments and local governments to take this opportunity to transform administration, delegate power and improve services.

Government red tape has long been a complaint of the public. There was one ridiculous case in which a citizen was asked to prove his mother was his mother when obtaining a government permit.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the Chinese government has taken a raft of measures to simplify procedures and transform its functions to strengthen its credibility and administrative powers.

It has reduced the number of matters subject to approval by 44 percent and put a stop to administrative licensing not authorized by law, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Premier Li Keqiang has severely criticized various unreasonable certifications, demanding that cumbersome formalities be overhauled.