State Council sorts out industrial association charges

The General Office of the State Council released a circular to standardize fees for enterprises charged by industry associations.

Premier Li Keqiang said that as the current economy faces huge challenges, burdens on enterprises must be eased, and the released policies must be fully implemented.

Illegal and arbitrary fees, such as forced membership fees, charges in the name of government, fees for evaluation and appraisal, illegal charges on professional certificate identification and charges without services should be sorted out, returned or lowered.

According to the circular, the amount for membership fees must be decided by the votes of membership companies, items with illegal charges must be removed, arbitrary fees must be returned to enterprises and high fees should be lowered.

Services industry associations charge for and annual revenue and expenditure should be open to the members online.

Reform on dividing industry associations and chambers from administrative organs must be completed by the end of 2020, according to the circular. Arbitrary fees can be reported via the 12315 internet platform, and will be investigated at once.

Administrative and service fees concerning enterprises have been largely cut, and the lists also have been identified. Sorting out fees in fields such as financing, electricity and gas supply, roads, railways and ports also are under way, the notice said.