Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Li Chunlin, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)

Mr. Li Fei, vice minister of commerce

Mr. Ren Duanping, director general of the Business Registration Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)

Mr. Wang Shancheng, director general of the Department of Comprehensive System Reform of the NDRC

Chairperson:

Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Aug. 30, 2024 

Xing Huina:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this briefing held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). The Opinions on Refining the National Market Access System issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council has been publicly released. Today, we have invited Mr. Li Chunlin, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and Mr. Li Fei, vice minister of commerce, to introduce the relevant information of the opinions and answer your questions. Also attending today's press conference are Mr. Ren Duanping, director general of the Business Registration Bureau of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), and Mr. Wang Shancheng, director general of the Department of Comprehensive System Reform of the NDRC.

Now, I will give the floor to Mr. Li for his introduction.

Li Chunlin:

Good morning. Thank you very much for your long-term interest in and support for the development and reform work. I am also very pleased to have this opportunity to speak with you today on refining the national market access system.

As an important document for implementing the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council recently issued the Opinions on Refining the National Market Access System, the full text of which was released to the public on Aug. 21. Now, I will briefly introduce the background, significance and main content of the opinions.

Market access is a prerequisite for business entities to participate in economic activities. Implementing a unified market access system is a major decision and deployment made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee proposed the implementation of a unified market access system, the 19th CPC National Congress clearly stated the need to implement a negative list system across the board for market access, and the 20th CPC National Congress further identified the market access system as one of the basic systems of the market economy. In recent years, the NDRC, together with the Ministry of Commerce, the SAMR, and other relevant departments, has resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, steadily promoting the development of the market access system. In 2018, the nationwide unified negative list for market access was issued, making China the first major economy to truly establish such a system. Four versions of the list have been released, with the number of items reduced from 151 in the 2018 version to 117 in the 2022 version, firmly establishing the "one list nationwide" management model for market access. Efforts have been made to further relax market access restrictions, with special measures implemented in Hainan, Shenzhen, the Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and Nansha in Guangzhou. A series of substantial reform measures have been introduced in areas such as commercial aerospace, international trading centers for electronic components and integrated circuits, unmanned systems in sea, land and air, and the modern seed industry. Market access efficiency evaluations have been carried out to promote reforms and improve the quality and efficiency of access services, ensuring the implementation of the market access system. Overall, the current market access system framework has been accelerated, supporting systems have been gradually improved, market access barriers have been effectively broken, and market dynamism and vitality have been further stimulated. This provides strong support for building a high-standard market system, a unified national market, and a high-standard socialist market economy.

As China enters a stage of high-quality development, higher requirements have been put forward for building a more refined market access system. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee clearly required "refining the market access system to ensure greater accessibility for new forms of business and new sectors" and "doing more to remove barriers to market access." The opinions implement the guiding principles of the third plenary session, timely elevating the reform achievements of the market access-related systems and mechanisms to institutional arrangements, attracting widespread attention from society. This is also the first policy document issued at the central level specifically on improving the development of the market access system, which has important guiding significance.

The full text of the opinions consists of 10 articles, around 2,300 words, and is concise but rich in content. It revolves around "establishing an open, transparent, standardized and orderly market access system that fosters fair competition, clear rights and responsibilities, and robust oversight," making the latest deployments in aspects such as improving the management model of the negative list for market access, scientifically determining market access rules, setting reasonable market prohibition and permission access items, clarifying the adjustment procedures for market access management measures, strengthening the coordination of domestic and foreign investment access policies, orderly relaxing restrictions on access to the service industry, optimizing the market access environment for new business forms and new fields, expanding pilot programs for market access relaxation, ensuring the implementation of the market access system and enhancing organizational implementation. There are four highlights in the opinions:

First, we will continue improving list management to clarify the boundaries of government roles. The negative list mechanism serves as a critical tool for enhancing the market access system. It's essential to clearly define the government's role in market access, fully leverage the market's decisive role in resource allocation, and solidify these principles into a systematic framework. This approach expedites the shift from pre-approval to ongoing and post-event supervision. The opinions reinforce support for the "one list nationwide" model, addressing access rules, the determination of access items, and the procedures for adjusting access measures. This unified approach ensures the list's consistency, standardization, and authority, promoting more regulated market access management and better ensuring lawful and equal market entry for all business entities.

Second, we'll continue easing access restrictions to invigorate market potential and vitality. Market access is the first gateway to economic activity, and it's essential to progressively loosen these restrictions to facilitate the smooth flow of resources and foster a broader market space. We will implement a policy of easier entry coupled with strict oversight, opening up competitive sectors and significantly reducing access barriers for businesses. Furthermore, we will systematically ease access restrictions in the service sector. In particular, we will gradually cancel restrictions in those service industries that do not involve national security or social stability concerns, where robust market competition can improve the quality of supply.

Third, we will continue optimizing the market access environment and enhancing market entry efficiency. Market access is crucial for translating scientific and technological advances into productivity. We need to take a forward-looking approach in establishing a market access framework for new business models and sectors to better support the development of new quality productive forces. For the first time, the opinions target 10 emerging fields, including deep-water exploration, aerospace, aviation, life sciences, new energy, and artificial intelligence. This initiative encompasses guiding principles, platform support, the application and commercialization of research outcomes, and global research collaboration. Together, these efforts aim to tackle bottlenecks inhibiting the profound transformation and upgrading of our industrial systems, promoting innovative allocation of production factors and continuously boosting market access efficiency.

Fourth, we will continue expanding pilot programs for market access and dismantling implicit barriers to entry. It's vital to leverage reform trials and employ special policy tools to break down entry barriers in certain sectors and areas. The opinions require that we make deployments focusing on key areas and key productive forces in strategic emerging industries and future industries. We will use regulations, policies, technical standards, testing and certification, and data systems to remove various entry barriers, promoting the adoption of new technologies and products. Priority regions will be selected for market access trials, with phased special measures to ease access.

Moving forward, the NDRC, in collaboration with relevant departments, will implement the opinions and strengthen overall coordination. We will continue to refine the market access system, further optimize the access environment, and bolster development expectations. Our goal is to rapidly establish a new paradigm featuring "standard-driven access, list-based access, scenario-enhanced access, pilot-expanded access and regulation-backed access."

That concludes my introduction. Now, my colleagues and I are ready to answer questions. Thank you!

Xing Huina: 

Now, you may raise your hand to ask questions. Please identify the news organization you represent before asking.

CCTV:

We have noticed that the opinions lay out clear requirements for enhancing the negative list management model concerning market access. Could you share the key considerations behind this? What is the current progress on revising the updated edition of the market access negative list? Thank you.

Li Chunlin:

Thank you for the questions from the CCTV reporter. I am very glad to answer these questions. The market access negative list system and the revision of the list have attracted close attention from society. The negative list for market access clearly outlines sectors, fields and businesses that are off limit for investors and items which require government approval for market entry in our country. Governments at all levels take corresponding management measures in accordance with the law for matters involving market access. All types of business entities can fairly enter the sectors, fields and businesses not on the list in accordance with the law. Since the full implementation of the market access negative list system in 2018, the negative list has continued to shorten. As I mentioned, it has been reduced from 151 items to 117 items. The benefits of reform continue to increase with the list having undergone four dynamic revisions. The items have been reduced by about 60% compared with the pilot version. A large number of market entry restrictions in many fields such as elderly care and medical care have been loosened. Various market entities have more vitality and greater space to develop the economy and create wealth, so that the decisive role of the market in allocating resources can be fully exerted. At the same time, with the full implementation of the list, some new difficulties have also emerged. For example, the rules and standards for the establishment and adjustment of access measures are not sound enough, and there are still many barriers of various types at all levels to market access. The opinions adhere to a problem-oriented approach and make corresponding institutional arrangements.

In terms of improving "one list nationwide" management for market access, the opinions clearly state that all types of national access catalogs that have been compiled according to requirements, as well as industrial, investment, environmental and territorial space plans and other matters involving market access, shall be included in the negative list management. The national access system shall be promoted to strengthen integration and connection, intensify system integration and strive to achieve horizontal and vertical coverage. At the same time, the opinions state that it is strictly prohibited to establish access permits and add access conditions in breach of regulations and independently formulate negative lists for market access beyond the national negative list, or set up access barriers in the process of franchising, designated operation, testing and certification in violation of rules. In recent years, the NDRC has worked with relevant departments to clean up and cancel more than 20 negative lists related to market access set up in violation of regulations in various places, and the institutional rigidity has been continuously enhanced.

In terms of improving rules for market access, the opinions, for the first time, categorize and clarify the corresponding access rules according to the nature of different sectors and fields. For fully competitive fields, we implement wide access and strict management, and significantly reduce access restrictions. For fields involving national security, lifeblood of the national economy, layout of major productive forces, strategic resources development and major public interests, access restrictions can be set, but they must be carried out in accordance with laws and regulations. For new forms of businesses and new sectors, we respect the characteristics of their development, plan corresponding access systems in a forward-looking manner and better promote the development of new quality productive forces. For example, during the revision of the negative list for market access in recent years, a number of management measures, such as qualification licensing of firefighting technical service organizations, issuance of security training permits and permits for the establishment of nursing homes, have been canceled in succession. At the same time, access management is also implemented for important sectors such as financial holding companies in accordance with the law, which exemplifies this concept. 

In terms of improving the adjustment procedures for market access measures, the opinions detail specific requirements such as prohibition of entry and permission for access, as well as further propose that before adding or adjusting market access management measures the competent authorities should first conduct policy assessments and then apply for amendments to laws and regulations in accordance with legal procedures. Temporary access measures may be taken when major sudden risks to economic operation may occur, but they must be reported to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council for approval, which effectively strengthens the sanctity of the setting and adjustment of access policies. This also avoids the situation where individual departments or localities arbitrarily stop market access in certain areas, which is conducive to stabilizing market expectations.

These latest requirements put forward in the opinions have clarified the direction for the subsequent adjustment and implementation of the negative list for market access. Regarding the revision of the negative list for market access, the NDRC is currently working with the Ministry of Commerce, the SAMR and other relevant departments to promote the revision of the list in an orderly manner. The revised version has been formed and will be issued and implemented after approval in accordance with the prescribed procedures. The new version of the list will fully implement the requirements of the opinions as well as closely connect with the reform of the administrative approval system, the reform separating operation permits from business licenses and the new round of institutional reforms, promoting further reduction of items on the list and releasing more reform momentum for high-quality development. Thank you.

21st Century Business Herald: 

We have noticed that the phenomenon of "money can't buy satisfactory services" still exists. Could you please tell us what key measures will be taken next in terms of relaxing access to the service industry and improving the institutions and mechanisms for its development? Thank you.

Li Fei: 

Thank you for your question. I will answer this question. The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has made important arrangements for refining the institutions and mechanisms for developing the service sector. The service industry is a crucial part of the national economy, a key support for the modern industrial system and a major player in driving economic growth, providing jobs, expanding investment, promoting consumption and improving people's livelihoods. In recent years, the Ministry of Commerce with relevant departments has continuously improved the policy system for the development of the service sector, and promoted the high-quality development of services in key areas, so as to meet the needs of industrial transformation and upgrading as well as the people's aspiration for a better life.

At present, the overall development of China's service industry shows signs of positive stability with service consumption maintaining rapid growth, investment in key areas expanding at an accelerated pace and service trade growing rapidly. However, challenges still remain, such as unsatisfying supply quality, untapped consumption potential and weak international competitiveness. Moving forward, we will work closely with relevant departments to focus on the following key areas:

In terms of continuously relaxing control over market access in the service sector, the opinions have made directional and targeted arrangements for relaxing market access, proposing to gradually remove access restrictions in service industries that do not involve national security or social stability and where sufficient market competition can enhance supply quality. At the same time, we will continue to ensure greater accessibility for business entities, eliminate unreasonable access restrictions and remove illegally set entry barriers.

In terms of accelerating the establishment of a new system of high-quality and efficient services, we will promote better alignment between supply and demand, foster high-quality development of service consumption, optimize supply, improve quality, enrich consumption scenarios and cultivate new growth points for consumption.

In terms of further promoting the deep integration of advanced manufacturing and modern services, we will focus on key links, propel high-quality development of producer services on a sector-by-sector basis and enhance the specialized, commercial and comprehensive service capabilities that target the manufacturing industry.

In terms of strengthening and refining service brands, we will cultivate producer service brands with international competitiveness, create service brands with high quality, strong innovation momentum and leading roles as well as leverage brand building to drive new growth in the service consumption market, thereby unleashing new consumption potential.

Thank you！

China News Service: 

We have noticed that previous pilot projects to relax market access were mainly carried out through the formation of special measures, such as the special measures introduced for Hainan, Shenzhen, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Nansha in Guangzhou. Could you brief us on the progress of these market access relaxation pilot projects and any considerations for the next step? Thank you.

Wang Shancheng: 

Thank you for your question. The opinions clearly state that efforts should be made to expand the scope of pilot projects for relaxing market access. The main considerations are as follows: on the one hand, the number of items included in the negative list for market access remains relatively high, and some items that are not yet ready to be fully opened nationwide need to be explored through pilot projects. On the other hand, market access policies for new business forms and new sectors also need to be continuously refined through pilot projects. By selecting certain regions to carry out these projects, we aim to promote the development of a more flexible and efficient market access policy system, gradually relaxing access and optimizing the environment in relevant sectors.

Since 2021, we have selected Hainan, Shenzhen, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and Nansha in Guangzhou to continue pilot programs to expand market access. We have used special measures to relax market access as a key strategy, introducing a series of specific measures in fields such as healthcare, finance, transportation, culture and education. We have effectively relaxed requirements for market access in areas like data property, aerospace, electronic components, integrated circuits, deep sea exploration and the modern seed industry. Major progress has been made in stimulating the vitality of business entities and facilitating the flow of production factors. For example, in Hainan, we proposed improving the market accessibility in the commercial aerospace sector and easing market access to spaceport construction. The first two commercial space rocket launch pads in Hainan are nearing completion, and several major industrial projects have been introduced, greatly promoting the country's commercial aerospace sector. Another example is the pilot program for developing unmanned systems for land, sea and air in Hengqin, Nansha in Guangzhou and Hefei in Anhui. This initiative has achieved the "six unifications" in standard systems, data centers, operational management and control, testing and certification, communication protocols, and policies and regulations. This has effectively removed market access barriers such as operational systems, airspace planning, data security and scenario openings. This lays a foundation for the wider application of unmanned systems across land, sea and air in larger regions and even nationwide.

Moving forward, we will implement the requirements of the opinions, increase efforts to pilot expanded market access and quickly gain reform experiences that can be replicated and promoted. 

First, we will conduct trials to allow access to new business formats and fields. Focusing on strategic emerging industries, key areas of future industries, and the layout of major productive forces, we will introduce additional market access measures for deep sea exploration, healthcare, new energy, and artificial intelligence. We will actively explore more efficient and streamlined access mechanisms, promote the application of innovative achievements in key areas, and improve overall market access efficiency.

Second, we will optimize the management of market access procedures. We will further simplify access procedures and optimize the approval process. When excessive approval conditions affect market entry, we will simplify the conditions through pilot programs. At the same time, through pilot projects, we will explore establishing a comprehensive regulatory system that aligns with relaxed market access policies. We aim to accelerate the formation of a framework combining government regulation, enterprise consciousness, industry self-discipline and social supervision.

Third, we will increase efforts to replicate and promote successful pilot experiences. The opinions require effective implementation of deployed special measures to relax market access, policy evaluation, and promotion of successful experiences. Recently, we have conducted evaluations and supervision of the special measures in Hainan and Shenzhen. We will promote and apply some mature pilot experiences and measures that can be replicated on a wider scale. Thank you.

Chengdu.cn:

My question is for the SAMR. What effective measures will it take to further improve the market access system, especially the registration and management system for business entities? Thank you.

Ren Duanping:

Thank you for your question. Market access is the prerequisite for economic entities to participate in economic activities, and the registration management system of business entities is the basis and key content of market access. The SAMR has thoroughly implemented the principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We've adopted practical measures, actively promoted the improvement of the basic market economy system, accelerated the construction of a unified national market, and continued to improve the market access system. We've focused on deepening the reform of the business registration system based on subscribed registered capital, ensuring that subscriptions are paid on time as stipulated by law. We've deepened reform in key areas with an innovative spirit, strengthened system integration, reduced institutional costs of market access, and promoted a more mature and better-defined registration management system. This has spurred the innovation vitality and internal driving force of business entities, creating a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized.

Next, we will implement the opinions of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and State Council on refining the national market access system, focusing on three aspects of work.

First, we will continue to deepen the reform of the business registration system based on subscribed registered capital. We will thoroughly implement the Company Law of the People's Republic of China and the State Council's provisions on the implementation of the Registration Management System for Registered Capital of the Company Law of the People's Republic of China. We will guide newly established enterprises to reasonably determine subscription terms in accordance with the law, steadily adjust the capital contribution terms of existing companies as per legal requirements, and promptly correct any obvious abnormal situations regarding companies' capital contribution periods and amounts. We will introduce measures for implementing company registration management, which will legally clarify the criteria and procedures for determining obvious abnormalities in registered capital, conditions and requirements for exempting and adjusting capital contribution terms, and separate register management. In high-security risk areas, we will work with relevant departments to study and establish legally classified scopes, proportions, and periods for paid-in registered capital. We will improve the management system for non-corporate market entities to ensure timely capital contributions in accordance with the law. We will accelerate the construction of a unified national registration system for market entities and strengthen smart access.

Second, we will continue to improve the legal framework for business entity registration. We will adhere to the new development philosophy, balancing development and security, vitality and order, and efficiency and fairness. We will maintain goal-oriented, problem-oriented, and reform-oriented approaches. We will accelerate the research and formulation of a basic legal system for business entity registration in accordance with the law. This will include clarifying the basic principles of registration management and unifying basic legal concepts and terms. We will also improve institutions and rules for managing business registrations, transfers, names, and leasing and contracting of market entities. Additionally, we will tighten legal penalties for business entity fraud. We will promote institutional innovation, fill institutional gaps, and develop legal systems and rules that effectively align with prevailing international commercial rules.

Finally, we will strictly enforce regulations against unfair competition and market intervention. We will advance both ex-ante measures and ex-post punishments, regulation and law enforcement, publicity and advocacy, and the correction of typical cases alongside institutional strengthening. These efforts will comprehensively remove market access barriers. We will strengthen supervision over both monopolistic and competitive businesses carried out by natural monopoly enterprises. This oversight aims to prevent these enterprises from abusing their dominant market positions in upstream and downstream competitive areas or from excluding or restricting market competition in these sectors. By focusing on the concerns of the public and businesses, we will advance anti-monopoly law enforcement to stop the abuse of administrative power that eliminates or restricts competition. Additionally, we will strictly implement the fair competition review system and resolutely rectify improper market interventions. These include the abuse of administrative power to restrict transaction partners or exclude and restrict business operators from bidding processes and other business activities. These efforts aim to remove restrictions and hindrances to market access for all entities.

That's all. Thank you.

Economic Daily:

To our knowledge, the NDRC has guided 10 provinces, including Yunnan, Guangdong and Fujian, in conducting pilot evaluations of market access effectiveness. The opinions proposed conducting evaluations of market access effectiveness nationwide. Could you talk about the relevant considerations and details?

Wang Shancheng:

Thank you for your question. Market access is key to balancing an efficient market with an effective government. The purpose of conducting market access evaluations is twofold. First, it aims to enhance the government's governance capacity by assessing the implementation of the market access policies and encouraging local governments to perform their duties efficiently in accordance with the law. Second, it focuses on improving market entry efficiency for businesses. By evaluating the environment for market access in various regions, we can promptly remove barriers, ensuring that all kinds of business entities can enter the market efficiently and smoothly.

Since 2021, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have made important arrangements for establishing and implementing a market access effectiveness evaluation system. The NDRC has guided pilot evaluations in 10 provinces, including Fujian, Yunnan, Ningxia, Shanghai and Guangdong. After three years of exploration, these pilot regions have made significant progress in market access effectiveness evaluation. For example, Yunnan has evaluated the market access effectiveness of 16 prefectures (cities) and 129 counties (cities and districts), forming a provincial effectiveness index. Yunnan has actively promoted excellence through evaluation, and participants' scores have steadily improved, with positive feedback from business entities. The evaluation results have directly promoted adjustment and improvement in policies related to local tourism and reduced market access barriers. Anhui province has explored an evaluation model that considers both administrative bodies and business entities. The province has developed an indicator system tailored to the Yangtze River Delta region, and vigorously promoted "imperceptible" evaluation by constructing an information platform, improving access efficiency and ensuring the fairness of evaluation results. At present, the conditions for comprehensive performance evaluation are largely in place. A national general version of the index system has been developed, consisting of 18 indexes in five aspects, including the construction of a market access system, the removal of market access barriers, the implementation of access supervision, organizational mechanism guarantees, and the effectiveness of system implementation. A working model has been formed under the guidance of national ministries and commissions, with provincial (autonomous region, municipality) governments as evaluation subjects and municipal and county governments as evaluation objects, laying the foundation for the nationwide promotion of such evaluations.

Next, according to the arrangements made in the opinions, we will comprehensively carry out an evaluation of market access effectiveness. In terms of a timeline, we will further expand the scope of evaluation this year, and starting next year, we will aim to gradually achieve full coverage of market access effectiveness evaluations, making the evaluations a regular practice. Regarding evaluation indicators, the indicator system will consist of "common national indicators + specific regional indicators." The common national indicators will be uniformly formulated and published by the NDRC, while the region-specific indicators will be set by each locality based on their actual conditions to appropriately reflect local characteristics, thereby encouraging grassroots reform and innovation. As for the evaluation results, we will strictly implement relevant requirements. The results will primarily serve as a reference for localities in building market access systems, with a clear directive to avoid rankings and prevent any burden on localities or primary-level organizations in this regard. Through effectiveness evaluations, we aim to comprehensively reflect and scientifically assess the market access environment in various regions, thereby ensuring the solid implementation of market access system requirements and continuously improving the government's standardized and scientific management of market access. Thank you!

Science and Technology Daily: 

The Resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee specifically mentions that we should "ensure greater accessibility for new forms of business and new sectors." We noticed that a special section in the opinions is dedicated to this, introducing many new highlights and concepts, with several pertaining to the frontier area of new quality productive forces. Could you elaborate on the considerations behind this?

Li Chunlin: 

Thank you for your question. I am a regular reader of Science and Technology Daily. The question that you raise concerning new quality productive forces is indeed very specialized. As you mentioned, the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee explicitly states the need to "ensure greater accessibility for new forms of business and new sectors," making special arrangements for the core issue of improving the market access system. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately grasp this key task and ensure that we align with standards and benchmarks in its implementation.

Currently, the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is developing rapidly, with disruptive technologies iterating and upgrading swiftly. However, there are still unclear access rules in some new forms of business and new sectors, with issues such as overly strict access management and a need for optimization in the access environment becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the relevant access systems and to relax access restrictions in an orderly manner in order to better promote the development of new forms of business and new sectors.

Let me give you an example: the low-altitude economy. Currently, many regions across the country are vying to develop the low-altitude economy. However, the development of the low-altitude economy brings about a series of issues, such as safety concerns, industry standards for products and regulations regarding flight access. For instance, what are the regulations like? What are the application scenarios? What is the development path for the industry? Though a prominent representative of new quality productive forces, the low-altitude economy could lead to issues like indiscriminate flying without proper regulations. Therefore, it is necessary to relax access restrictions in an orderly manner in order to better promote the development of new forms of business and new sectors. For instance, Article 7 of the opinions clearly outlines policy arrangements for optimizing the market access environment for new forms of business and new sectors, with many noteworthy measures:

First, regarding the optimization of access management methods, the opinions clearly state that with 10 new forms of business and new sectors, namely deep sea, aerospace, aviation, life and health, new energy, artificial intelligence, autonomic and trusted computing, information security, intelligent rail transit and modern seed industry, we should develop and implement specific plans to optimize the market environment for each field, promoting innovative allocation of production factors and improving access efficiency. The market access management for new forms of business and new sectors cannot simply follow the traditional administrative approval-based management model but should fully leverage market mechanisms. It should be guided by standards and scenarios to create a more flexible and resilient access management mechanism. Following the principle of "standards guiding, scenario opening, market driving, industry focusing and system upgrading," we should further optimize the access methods for new forms of business and new sectors. In the early stages of development, new forms of business and new sectors need nurturing, which requires providing appropriate application scenarios. Without application scenarios, there is no industrial development. Without standards, the industry will face various problems. In fact, this hinders the healthy, high-quality and rapid development of the industry to a certain extent. Therefore, it is essential to carry out top-level design and provide principles and pathways.

Second, is refining the innovation application mechanism. Currently, a large number of innovations struggle to reach the market due to many barriers between innovative achievements and the industrial system. Therefore, refining the innovation application mechanism is a critical aspect in improving market access, which is key to effectively bridging the gap between technology and the economy. The opinions propose leveraging promotion centers for advanced technology application and various innovation platforms for scientific and technological achievements application. It also calls for facilitating a smooth flow of industrial systems, innovation resources, capital, application scenarios and policy systems, thereby promoting the transformation of original, disruptive sci-tech innovations into actual productivity. For instance, under the policy of expanding market access, it clarifies that promotion centers for international advanced technology application can be established in comprehensive national science centers and international scientific innovation centers. The first such center, the International Advanced Technology Application Promotion Center in Hefei, Anhui province, was officially inaugurated in November 2022, with its board set to be established next month. The center has made notable progress in reforming the comprehensive allocation of new production factors such as technology, data, computing power, airspace and scenarios. Meanwhile, similar centers in Shanghai’s Pudong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are also rapidly advancing. The opinions also call for fostering a market access environment for the application of innovations in frontier technology fields, and leading the application and standard development of all-space unmanned systems across land, sea and air. Additionally, the opinions advocate expediting the development of market access policy systems in areas such as green energy, and actively broadening market access for digital products. We will ensure the implementation of these key tasks while also providing experience and setting examples for innovation application in other frontier fields.

Finally, is refining the coordination of innovation resources. The opinions focus on key areas such as electronic information, computational science, deep-sea exploration, aviation and aerospace, new energy, new materials, biomedicine, quantum technology and the modern seed industry. The goal is to promote the establishment of collaborative research models in these cutting-edge fields by key enterprises, research institutions and related localities. Moreover, the opinions encourage active participation in the formulation of international market access rules and standards, and the facilitation of convenient and efficient innovation application in key areas. This is of great significance for strengthening strategic layouts in frontier fields, enhancing the capacity to allocate global advanced and high-quality production factors, and leading the development of rules and standards in new business forms and new sectors.

Refining the market access environment for new business forms and sectors is a new reform task assigned by the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. We will follow the requirements of the opinions to the letter, ensure their thorough implementation, and effectively promote the high-quality development of new business forms and sectors through market access reforms. Thank you.

ThePaper.cn:

The opinions call for improving the management model of the negative list for market access, establishing sound market access rules, and implementing market access management in accordance with the law. Could you share how the market regulation authorities plan to advance related work? Thank you.

Ren Duanping:

Thank you for your question. In recent years, the SAMR has actively promoted the implementation of the market access negative list system, made government approvals more standardized, procedure-based and accessible, and continuously enhanced the operability and enforceability of the items on the list. Meanwhile, we have given full play to the foundational role of the market access negative list system, standardized operation scope registration and fulfilled the "dual notification" responsibility (before registration, the business authorities shall notify the applicants of the items that need to be reviewed and approved as well as the corresponding approval departments; after registration, the business authorities shall notify relevant review and approval departments of the registration information of the applicants). Through these efforts, we aim to expand electronic business license applications and actively provide standardized and convenient registration services. Moving forward, we will earnestly implement the Opinions on Refining the National Market Access System by focusing on four key areas.

First, we will continue to refine the market access negative list. We will continuously streamline and improve the items on the negative list in collaboration with the NDRC and MOFCOM. For listed items in the market regulation field, such as food production and operation, special equipment, as well as testing and inspection, we will advance the formulation and revision of relevant laws, regulations and departmental rules, and strengthen the development of safety technical standards, so as to continually enhance the operability and enforceability of the listed items.

Second, we will continue to make government approval services more standardized, procedure-based and accessible. In accordance with the laws, regulations and rules on the establishment and implementation of licenses, we will continue to improve the "Implementation Rules for Administrative Licensing Items in the Field of Market Regulation." For all administrative licensing items regarding market regulation, we will clearly define the basic elements, licensing conditions, application materials, approval procedures and approval time limits based on the category, profession and other features of the approval levels and objects. We will continuously optimize the approval process, shorten approval times and improve approval efficiency. Additionally. we will strengthen the standardization of approvals, enhance work ethics and refine window services. We will also improve the supervision mechanisms, and implement systems such as first-inquiry responsibility, full notification and time-limited completion to improve service efficiency.

We will continue to implement standardized registration for the scope of business operation. We will work to make sure that items requiring government approval are aligned with business activities, so as to provide more standardized registration services for business entities. We will proactively fulfill our responsibility of "dual notification. " Specifically, during the business registration process, we will notify enterprises of particular items related to their business activities that require government approval. We will also strengthen information sharing, promptly notifying relevant authorities of enterprise information so as to timely include these enterprises in regulatory oversight and achieve regulatory coordination.

We will continue to improve administrative services and improve the efficiency of market access. We will thoroughly implement the State Council's decision on promoting one-stop government services and take the lead in introducing this initiative to multiple items, such as restaurant registration. We will guide local governments to effectively optimize administrative processes, strengthen collaboration, streamline administrative systems and enhance data sharing. We will strive to greatly reduce the amount of time, steps, materials and trips needed for government services, in a bid to improve the sense of fulfillment among businesses and the public. We continue to expand the application for electronic business licenses. To date, 76.35 million business entities nationwide have downloaded electronic business licenses a total of 290 million times. These licenses have been used 493 million times for identity verification, online logins and as electronic signatures, with average daily usage exceeding 900,000 times. They have also been adopted by more than 1,700 business systems in various regions and government bodies, which has significantly reduced costs and improved efficiency. That concludes my response. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

The floor is open for one last question.

The Beijing News:  

The alignment of the "two lists," namely those concerning foreign investments and market access, have long attracted widespread attention. The opinion has also outlined specific requirements for enhancing policy collaboration related to access of both domestic and foreign investments. How will these developments impact the alignment of the "two lists"? Will there be special arrangements regarding this issue for the Hainan FTP and pilot free trade zones (FTZs)? Thank you.

Li Fei:

Thank you for your questions. Regarding the first question, the negative list for market access is a part of national treatment and is applicable to all types of business entities both at home and abroad. The negative list for foreign investment access, on the other hand, pertains specifically to foreign investment management, and is exclusively applicable to overseas investors. Therefore, these two lists have been closely aligned through adjustments.

First, in terms of institutional design, it is specified that the negative list for foreign investment access should outline special management measures, including requirements on equity and senior management. Areas outside the list will be managed in accordance with the principle of equal treatment for both domestic and foreign investments. Both domestic and overseas investors are subject to the regulations of the market access negative list.

Second, in addressing specific issues, these "two lists" have been adjusted in a coordinated manner. Market access restrictions lifted for foreign investments have also been removed for domestic investments. Likewise, market access restrictions imposed on domestic investments will, in principle, also apply to foreign investments as well, provided they do not violate international agreements and commitments.

Third, in policy implementation, we uphold the principle of ensuring national treatment, continuing to eliminate and remove all kinds of barriers that hinder fair market access without reducing the market access opportunities of existing business entities. This approach aims to ensure that all business entities are guaranteed equal rights to market access in accordance with the law. The requirements outlined in the opinion not only further clarify and consolidate established existing practices, but also serve as significant institutional achievements that strengthen the alignment of the "two lists."

Regarding the second question, as the pacesetter of the nation's opening-up endeavor, FTZs and Hainan FTP witness a strong foundation of reform and development, as well as vibrant foreign investments. They are subject to a much shorter list of restrictions for foreign investment access, and they enjoy a higher-level of opening up. As for market access, based on the unified national list, Hainan FTP and other related regions will implement special measures with further relaxed market access requirements.

Moving forward, we will provide guidance to related regions and fully put the "two lists" into practice. We will also continue to improve services for foreign enterprises and strive to develop practices that are applicable to other regions, in a bid to create an accessible environment featuring efficiency and convenience for all types of businesses. Thank you.

Xing Huina:

Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Thank you to all four speakers and friends from the media. Goodbye everyone.

Translated and edited by Wang Yiming, Wang Qian, Liao Jiaxin, Liu Qiang, Yan Bin, Yuan Fang, Mi Xingang, Huang Shan, Yang Xi, Liu Sitong, Xu Kailin, Li Huiru, Zhang Lulu, Xu Xiaoxuan, Ma Yujia, Zhu Bochen, Zhou Jing, David Ball, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.