China further cuts administrative approval procedures

BEIJING - China's cabinet has decided to exempt another 68 items from central government approval as part of its efforts to reduce intervention in the economy.

The list released on Tuesday includes the canceling or dissolving of power to lower levels on coal production approvals, permission of setting up foreign commerce chambers and checks on returning imported cargoes.

Facing a complicated global landscape and pressure from an economic slowdown at home, the central government has made transforming government functions a top priority to spearhead broader reforms.

The latest decision followed similar steps earlier this year that saw the removal of more than 300 administrative approval items, which helped to drive a notable rise in the number of business registrations.