Premier Wen Jiabao Monday stressed government authorities should make further efforts to remove system obstacles to economic and social development.

Addressing a meeting on reform of the government's administrative examination and approval system, Wen said the reform, a key aspect for transformation of government functions, must be carried out unswervingly.

Wen noted that the State Council over the past 10 years has removed or modified a total of 2,183 administrative approval items, or 60.6 percent of the original total, in an effort to improve government administration and transform government functions.

Wen said the reform of the government administrative system, including of administrative examination and approval system, still lagged behind the requirement of China's socialist market economic development.

To promote China's development in a scientific manner and further the building of a moderately prosperous society, the obstacles in the administrative system that hinder economic and social development must be removed, Wen said.

Furthermore, Wen called on greater efforts to remove or modify administrative approval items, especially in areas of investment and social development, and areas not subject to administrative approval.

Wen urged authorities to conduct administrative examination and approval practices in accordance with laws strictly and move forward in the building of a service-oriented government.

Meanwhile, Wen called for further supervision over the use of power by government officials to further promote the building of a clean government.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2011)