From the first day of 2016, the Xiamen free trade administration will be responsible for a total of 253 executive approvals that used to be conducted by the provincial-level free trade authority.

The handover of the 253 items was first detailed in a directory issued by the Fujian free trade administration in July.

In November, the Xiamen authority delegated the ratification duties for the 253 items between divisions and instructed that the acceptance of applications and the issuance of certificates should be united.

32 of the items will be directed to the Xiamen free trade administration itself, while others that require industry-specific knowledge will be submitted to individual authorities online.

Nevertheless, all the certificates will be issued by the Xiamen free trade administration.

Under the new duties, the Xiamen free trade authority will determine the establishment and practice authority of medical institutions, review talent agencies' licenses, working permits for foreigners, and certificates for foreign-invested tourism agencies.

An intellectual property unit will start working from January 1, as well. Businesses operating within the free trade area will get expert assessments from this service, which will accept filings of complaints and help protect businesses' legal rights.

Edited by Peter Nordlinger

A sketch map of the?Xiamen Area of?China (Fujian)?Pilot Free Trade Zone.[Photo from xmftz.gov.cn]