Over 1,000 administrative approval items listed

China's central government now has 1,235 administrative approval items in total, after last years' widespread cull, according to a list published on Monday.

The list, available on a State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform website scopsr.gov.cn, lists the items which come under 60 central government departments. For each item, the list spells out the responsible authority, approval object and its legal basis.

In his first work report earlier this month, Premier Li Keqiang pledged to abolish or delegate another 200 administrative approvals to governments at lower levels, following the 416 last year. At the press conference that wrapped up the annual session of the National People's Congress last Thursday, he said streamlining and delegation would continue.

Publication of the list is a major step in the transformation of government functions, said a statement by the State Council office in charge of the system. No department may create more approval items and the market should be allowed to do anything not specifically prohibited by law. Government departments must not do anything unless mandated by the law, the statement said.

The public have been asked for feedback on further reform of approvals via the website, by phone or email.