CHINA will tackle the weak areas in its business environment to further improve overall competitiveness and sustain the sound momentum of steady economic performance, the State Council’s executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided Wednesday.

It was decided Wednesday that another 17 administrative permits will be no longer required, including in establishing nursing homes for the elderly, declaring invalidity of business licenses, project approval for foreign businesses to invest in road transport, and work permits for Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao residents to work on the mainland. Six of the above 17 items will be revoked through applying for legal revisions.

Taxation procedure will be further streamlined, and the time required for enterprise tax payments will be reduced. The procedure required for immovable property registration will be completed within 15 working days, and the time required for a mortgage registration will be shortened to within seven working days by the end of this year.

At the same time, reforms on the enterprise investment project commitment system will be accelerated, with government authorities setting criteria and businesses keeping good credit records.

A new negative list for businesses will be issued, and any restrictions hampering a level playing field for businesses will be abandoned. Behaviors such as counterfeiting and infringements and illegal charges will be cracked down.

Meanwhile, efforts will continue to be made in facilitating public services and reforming the administrative examination and approval system by reducing the time, documentation and cost required, and enhancing transparency.

It was also decided at the meeting that China will carry out phased evaluations of the business environments across the country and offer further incentives for better performers. Some 28 steps for improving the business environment that have worked well in some regions, including the one-stop service model and Internet Plus medical insurance, will be disseminated to encourage competition in the quality of business environment across the country. (Xinhua)