State plans to ease foreigners’ access

China will roll out a series of measures to boost innovation, according to a circular from the General Office of the State Council.

Thirteen reform measures will be carried out in eight comprehensive innovation pilot areas, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Shanghai and the Pearl River Delta, and then further promoted nationwide, it said.

According to the circular, the government will enhance the support for innovation by small and medium-sized enterprises by offering one-stop investment and financing information.

One-stop service for patent examination, rights protection and verification also will be offered to enterprises, the circular said.

In the meantime, the government will streamline the procedures for foreigners to apply for work permits in China and encourage foreign students to find career opportunities, start their own businesses and apply for work and residence permits.

The circular also stressed the need to accelerate the transformation of military production into civilian use.