China to overhaul economic laws

http://thebricspost.com/china-to-overhaul-economic-laws/#.WRvLBlKZP-Z

China to overhaul economic laws
April 24, 2017, 4:29 pm 

China is moving from an export-based economy to one that is driven by domestic products and services [Xinhua]

Chinese authorities are looking for ways to fast-track economic reform, moving focus from an economy that is based on manufacturing and industry toward consumer-driven services.

On Monday, they began to examine ways to amend the Standardization Law of 1989 which governed all aspects of social and economic development in the country.

At the time, the law was a main driver for industrial, technical and construction output; it has not been amended since.

Chinese legislators now want to include other scopes into the 1989 Law as a means of driving growth in those sectors.

The amendments of several articles of the 1989 law will include applying standards on services and social management.

“As the country’s economy and social conditions have evolved, some of the law’s existing clauses are out of date,” Tian Shihong, head of the Standardization Administration of China, said in remarks carried by local news agency Xinhua.

Other sectors that will be added to fall under the Standardization Law include agriculture and environmental production.

The latter has been a key concern for the Chinese government as earlier in the year it ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in a bid to reaffirm its commitment to curbing harmful emissions

Since then, the government said it aims to develop an “ecological civilization framework,” as the country continues to grapple with toxic air pollution levels.

“Governments at all levels should remember that clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In recent weeks, the Chinese government has set up task forces, rapid response teams and hotlines and has begun encouraging the public to participate in campaigns against violators. It will increase environmental inspections and crackdown on polluters.

The amendments to the Standardization Law are also expected to introduce mandatory standards on national and ecological security, and health and safety.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies