State Council, Decision on the Abolition and Delegation to Lower Level Authorities of a Group of Items Subject to Administrative Examination and Approval and Other Such Matters

- check and approval of investment projects in the exploration of new gas fields with an annual production capacity of at least 2 billion cubic metres by enterprises;

- pilot projects of direct purchase of electricity from electricity generation enterprises by electricity users;

- recognition of qualifications of telecommunications and information network system integration enterprises;

- examination and approval of the organisation of national career fairs;

- examination and approval of the establishment of business entities that engage in national publication chain operation;

- examination of the mergers and acquisitions between international vessel transport operators;

- examination and approval of the international shipping agency business;

- examination and approval of the commencement of construction works of water conservation projects;

- examination and approval of contracts for cooperation with foreign parties on petroleum, natural gas and coal-bed methane; and

- recognition of not-for-profit scientific research organisations.

The administrative examination and approval of the following items will be delegated by the State Council to provincial-level administrations for industry and commerce:

- registration of resident representative offices of foreign enterprises; and

- check and approval of the production and other business activities conducted by foreign (regional) enterprises in China.