CCTV:
Earlier, Mr. Li mentioned that optimizing the business environment should be regarded as the "first move" and "key battle" in comprehensive revitalization. What are your considerations for the next steps in building the business environment?
Li Lecheng:
Thank you for your question. This matter is of great concern to various sectors of society. We often say that businesses create wealth, while the government creates the environment. We consider optimizing the business environment as the "first move" and "key battle" in the three-year action plan for comprehensive revitalization. We will continue to deepen reforms in key areas, improve government services, focus on benefiting enterprises and the people, and strive to explore a new path that is in line with the reality of Liaoning province and has its own characteristics.
To improve the business environment, we have started by focusing on the government itself. We firmly believe that integrity and the rule of law are the cornerstones of optimizing the business environment. We have initiated special campaigns to ensure government compliance and commitment, emphasizing that new officials must address old issues. We have made significant efforts to address instances of government misconduct, and we have overseen the resolution of nearly 17,000 issues related to the business environment. As a result, market confidence, industry confidence and social confidence have all significantly improved.
Enabling the public to handle their affairs without relying on personal connections is like giving them a reassuring dose of fairness and justice. We have initiated the reform to eradicate favoritism in handling affairs, promoting a campaign in Liaoning of "No Favoritism, No Personal Gain." Throughout the province, more than 900 beneficial policies have been implemented that can instantly be enjoyed without the need for application, benefiting over 11 million enterprises and allowing business entities to fully reap the benefits of these policy dividends.
We are striving to ensure that good things are done well and done quickly. We are actively promoting a direct reporting system between the provincial authorities and counties for land requisition and modularized approvals, significantly reducing the time required for approval. By reducing the tax and fee burden on enterprises, last year we achieved over 40 billion yuan in additional tax and fee reductions, exemptions, refunds and deferred payments provincewide. We have implemented a "one-stop" approach for 35 high-frequency scenarios, resulting in a reduction of average processing time by 62%. This year, we will further expand this approach to include 48 scenarios.
Telephone calls from ordinary people serve as the best opportunity for us to optimize the business environment. Currently, the 12345 hotline has been developed into the centralized customer service for government affairs across the entire province. By addressing specific small issues, scenarios and initial signs of improvement, we are promoting targeted rectification of persistent problems in the business environment. Last year, the hotline received a total of 12.55 million requests, with a completion rate of 99%, effectively addressing various demands.
How is the business environment in Liaoning? Let me provide you with some data. Last year, the business vitality of enterprises in Liaoning increased to 66.7%, showing year-on-year growth of 3.4 percentage points. The in-place investment increased by 16% compared to the previous year. Both domestic and foreign enterprises have shown their trust in the province's business environment by actively engaging and investing. Entrepreneurs can pursue their dreams with confidence while we stand as their strongest support and best partner.
We sincerely welcome friends from the media to visit Liaoning, explore its wonders, and closely observe the development of our business environment. We also welcome your valuable feedback. Thank you.
