Govt policy moves on property registration, regulation making

Quicker procedures to register properties

China will reduce the time required for property registration to improve the business environment, according to a notice released by the State Council General Office on March 11. According to the notice, more will be done to enable the sharing of information and integration of registration procedures to refine the process for property registration. Under the notice, the time required for general registration and mortgage registration will be cut to no more than 10 and five working days respectively by the end of this year. Before the end of 2020, both are expected to be reduced to no more than five working days.

The notice also called for greater efforts to promote information sharing and integration among departments. Related departments should provide information on property registration in a timely manner and strengthen coordination with registration institutions to achieve connectivity and sharing before the end of this year.

It also stated that authorities should not require applicants to submit the same materials as long as such materials could be obtained via the government information-sharing systems.

Efforts should be made to make full use of such technologies as the internet, big data, facial recognition and online payment to promote Internet Plus property registration, said the notice. Online application platforms will be established so that applicants can access the registration services 24 hours a day, and services for reservation, inquiry, payment and provision of electronic certificates will also be made available.

The notice also urged local authorities to speed up the integration and improvement of stock data and enable exchanges at levels of cities, counties and townships before the end of 2019. It also called for the integrated process with optimized procedures and streamlined materials. The notice also stressed the need to streamline procedures of property registration and reduce application materials.

Local authorities to listen to enterprises

The State Council has urged local authorities and government departments to better heed advice from enterprises and industry associations before making regulations related to the operations of businesses, according to a notice published on March 13.

The move is part of efforts to promote the transformation of government functions and further the reform to streamline administration, enhance compliance oversight and improve government services, said the notice. Authorities should make adequate efforts to solicit opinions from representative enterprises, industrial associations, chambers of commerce and lawyers’ associations in the process of making regulations, said the notice.

During the regulation-making process, the authorities should solicit public opinion through various channels, including the internet and media, and heed the advice of businesses, especially private businesses, labor-intensive enterprises and small and micro businesses, said the notice.

Authorities are also required to hold hearings and symposiums to guide businesses and chambers of commerce to hold adequate discussions to voice their opinions, said the notice, adding that the feedback from businesses and associations should be taken in full consideration by authorities.

During the implementation process, the authorities should set up a buffer period to leave enough time for businesses to implement new regulations.