Presidency of People Republic of China : Fewer certificates can boost entrepreneurship and innovation

Since 2014, the State Council has been making efforts to reduce the number of occupational qualification certificates needed to enter a certain sector as a certificated professional.

Some certificates were so redundant that they had become barriers to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Premier Li Keqiang once said certificates should not be a drag on employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, and a more relaxed environment should be available for talent.

So far, 70 percent of previously required occupational qualification certificates were eliminated, with only 151 certificates remaining, according to the a national list of occupation qualification certificates published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in December, 2016.

The State Council has taken some steps to eliminate occupational qualification certificates.

Certification based on laws and regulations

Premier Li Keqiang initially brought forward the idea of reducing administrative permission and certification of occupational qualification at a State Council executive meeting on June 4, 2014.

Since then, government departments are required to regulate permission and certification of occupational qualification on the basis of laws and regulations, and a system for evaluating occupational qualification is being established gradually.

In August that year, the State Council abolished 11 certifications in sectors such as real estate, taxation, and asset evaluation.

More relaxed environment for talent

In November 2014, the State Council decided to eliminate more certificates deemed redundant, in a bid to create a freer environment for employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

According to a State Council circular, 67 were abolished at that time, including certificates for corporate trainer and telecommunications correspondent.

Management and evaluation of occupational qualification