China will optimize the rules and process for issuing permanent residence permits to foreign passport holders.
The reform serves the nation's talent development strategy and responds to social concerns, according to a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform, chaired by President Xi Jinping on Monday.
The meeting approved documents related to foreign affairs, proposing that the Communist Party of China leadership in local governments' foreign affairs work should be strengthened, and that management and the supervisory mechanisms of organs stationed overseas should be reformed, according to a statement issued after the meeting.
A residence permit recipient in Beijing, on May, 26, 2012. /VCG Photo
Xi said leading officials should play key roles in pushing forward reform related to foreign affairs, urging them to prioritize this reform.
In 2016, 1,576 foreigners became permanent Chinese residents, an increase of 163 percent over the previous year, official figures showed.
These documents were just part of the many files reviewed by the group during Monday's meeting.
Other significant points of discussion include:
- A plan on the development of a large number of industrial workers;
- Urging the standardized development of non-governmental think tanks;
Economists at the 7th Caixin Summit on December 2, 2016. /VCG Photo
- Setting up environmental supervision and law enforcement agencies;
- Major improvements within the country's major state media;
- Measures on raising the awareness of law among society;
- Pilot programs on reforming the management of mass organizations in Shanghai, Chongqing and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.
