The reforms must be effective, said Li, who is also the head of the Leading Group of the Reform of the Administrative Examination and Approval System under the State Council, at a teleconference held Wednesday in Beijing.

He said that the purpose of the reform is to establish an administrative examination and approval system that adapts to the socialist market economy.

The reform will be focused on rectifying the administrative examination and approval projects relating to economic management affairs. Governments at various levels are required to find a new market-oriented system to replace the previous practice of examination and approval.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said officials must not abuse their power and steer clear of protectionism.

He said the result of the reform will not only be evaluated by the number of projects that no longer need to be examined and approved by the government departments, but also whether it brings about true changes in the system.

( October 25, 2001)