China will promote in an orderly manner the application of electronic licenses and certificates involving companies, as part of efforts to boost the vitality of market entities, the State Council's Executive Meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Wednesday.

The meeting noted the need to effectively implement macro policies and continue advancing the reform of government functions to further energize market players, in order to keep overall economic performance stable.

In promoting law-based and service-oriented governance, steps will be taken to develop digital government and improve internet-empowered government services. These steps are designed to bolster the momentum for market entities to start businesses and grow, and are critical in making government services more efficient amid the development of an information society.

"Electronic business licenses have been in use for many years, and their application should be expanded," Li said.

The meeting called for the orderly expansion of the application of electronic licenses and certificates, on the basis of ensuring information security. Electronic licenses have been used for many years, and expanding their use will facilitate market transactions, energize market entities and contribute to economic development.

Electronic business licenses will be used on a broader scale in high-frequency business activities such as accessing the market, paying taxes, financing, tendering and bidding, and progress will be made in the simultaneous issuance of electronic seals and electronic business licenses, in order to lower institutional transaction costs.

Information sharing across departments and regions will be enhanced, so that electronic business licenses, among others, can be more broadly recognized.

Several cities will be selected to pilot the electronic application of ID cards in accordance with laws and regulations. The experiences will be summed up and problems identified and addressed in a timely manner, and relevant laws and regulations will be improved.

Li said, "Things must be done in compliance with related laws and regulations, especially when the information security of the public and market entities is at stake."

The meeting highlighted the imperative need to firmly safeguard information security. Regulations on security management will be improved, and the capacity for security protection will be enhanced, in order to protect personal data and trade secrets in accordance with law.

Such efforts are aimed at making the application of electronic licenses and certificates secure, reliable, convenient and efficient, so that people and enterprises can get things more easily and conveniently

Various misconduct, such as the unlawful use and overuse of personal or corporate data, will be investigated and seriously handled in line with laws and regulations.