China plans to rapidly expand its pilot program of setting up a general legal counselor system in major state-owned enterprises (SOEs), a move designed to improve the SOEs' international competitiveness.
The decision was made at a recent meeting sponsored by the State Economic and Trade Commission.
Huang Shuhe, vice minister of the commission, said local governments have been urged to select one or two big companies to take part in the experimental program.
The commission aims to gradually establish a corporate legal counselor system for the country's SOEs, which will enable them to operate according to law after the experimental program that will last two or three years.
About 130 enterprises in 15 provincial areas are to get involved in the program.
There are about 90,000 people in China, offering corporate legal consultation services but only 23,000 of these are licensed.
( April 17, 2002)
