Li explains move to streamline government's data systems

China will further integrate government information systems and enable more information disclosure on the allocation of public resources, according to a decision made at the State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday.

The government will work to consolidate and integrate the national data sharing and exchange platform to enable connectivity across networks, data and administrative services.

The move is part of government efforts to streamline administration, enhance compliance oversight and provide better services, with the aim of delivering greater benefits to the public with easier access to administrative services.

President Xi Jinping has said that the integration of information resources should be pushed forward to develop a national information resources sharing system.

According to a decision at the meeting, the contents and modality of data sharing across State Council departments will be clearly defined to ensure public access to information that can be released. The 40 vertical information systems run by the State Council bodies will be made open to governments at various levels by the end of this year, which will enable the sharing of service information on some 500 data items, including the identity verification of natural persons and enterprises, tax payment certificates, real estate registrations, and diploma certifications.

The government will encourage multi-purpose service stations to raise efficiency and cut the legwork of the public and businesses in seeking government services from different departments.

The security of information sharing will also be a priority, with measures set to be introduced to enhance the security management system and risk assessment.

In the establishment of any new government information system, sharing shall be a guiding principle to prevent duplication.

The government will also step up technical safeguards for such public infrastructure as the National E-Government Network and the national data sharing and exchange platform.

“We should use the integration of government information systems to achieve connectivity of data and government services, and break the barriers to our reform to streamline administration, enhance compliance oversight and provide better services,” the premier said.

“Such integration will also help spur social creativity, foster a more favorable business environment and bring greater conveniences to our people. This effort meets the public expectation and will help strike a proper balance between the government and the market,” Li added.

A new guideline, which specifies a set of requirements for government information disclosure on the allocation of public resources, was also approved at the meeting.

The guideline was issued as part of the plan by the Communist party of China Central Committee and the State Council to push forward government information disclosure comprehensively.

The guideline has identified a number of key areas for information disclosure, including housing, transfer of state-owned land use rights, transfer of mining rights, government procurement, transaction of state-owned property rights and tendering of engineering construction projects.

“More transparency in the allocation of public resources can help reduce corruption and unfair distribution. It can also lower cost, raise efficiency and enhance government credibility.” Li said.