China to bolster one-stop government services

The State Council decided to promote one-stop cross-agency services for items that used to require multiple visits to multiple departments to upgrade government services, according to a circular issued on Oct 3.

By the end of 2022, all localities should establish coordinated and closely-linked working mechanisms throughout their departments, as well as fulfill the tasks in the basic items list of one-stop government services for enterprises and individuals, the circular said.

By the end of 2025, the coverage of one-stop services in all localities should be further expanded, and more government one-stop services should be provided to items involved in key stages of the life circles of businesses and individuals, according to the circular.

For market players, items related to the starting of a business, permits for business operation, employee recruitment, real estate registration and cancellation registration can now be accessed on a one-stop basis.

For individuals, one-stop services will be provided for newborn registration, flexible employment, marriage and childbirth, assistance to people facing hardship, ownership transfer registration of secondhand houses, and retirement of enterprise employees.

To improve the one-stop services model, procedures will be scientifically designed, and a set of standards and guidelines will be made and published, the circular said.

The application procedure will also be simplified. The application materials involved in one-stop services will be simplified and improved by combining multiple forms and sharing data among different digital systems.

A unified access window and a coordinated mechanism will be established. Review, investigation and examination will all be carried out by collaboration among different departments, while online and offline approval procedures will also be linked.

The efficiency of producing certificates will be improved through multiple measures. Digital notice of outcome documents and certifications are encouraged, the circular said.

To better support one-stop services, more work will be done to advance offline comprehensive service windows and online service columns, to enhance interconnection of related online service systems and data sharing, and set up relevant standards and regulations.