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New China List Expands 'One-Stop' Government Services: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

China's State Council has issued a second 2026 list of priority items under its 'Handle One Thing Efficiently' reform, aiming to streamline business and personal lifecycle services. Foreign founders should note the push to improve government services in areas including market access and high-level opening-up.

China Expands 'One-Stop' Government Services with New 2026 List

Foreign founders operating or registering a company in China should take note of a new government notice that signals further efforts to streamline administrative procedures. On September 20, 2026, the General Office of the State Council issued a notice (Guobanhan [2026] No. 84) publishing the second batch of priority items for 2026 under the "Handle One Thing Efficiently" (高效办成一件事) reform. The list itself was approved by the State Council and distributed to provincial governments and central government departments for implementation.

While the full list of specific items is not detailed in the source text, the notice outlines the policy direction and expectations for local authorities. For foreign founders, this indicates a continued focus on improving government services and the business environment, which can affect how companies interact with Chinese authorities.

What the Notice Says

The notice calls on all regions and departments to implement the decisions of the Party Central Committee and the State Council regarding optimizing government services and advancing the "Handle One Thing Efficiently" initiative. It emphasizes a problem-oriented and goal-oriented approach, and urges officials to adopt a correct view of performance. The implementation of the second batch of priority items should be coordinated while continuing to optimize previously launched items.

Furthermore, the notice stresses the need to strengthen the "Handle One Thing Efficiently" concept and to steadily expand its applicable areas and scope. Specifically, it encourages advancing this approach in more fields and broader areas, including:

• Building a unified national market
• Expanding high-level opening-up
• Promoting coordinated regional development
• Optimizing the business environment

The notice also directs local authorities to gradually implement the overall list of priority items covering the full lifecycle of businesses and individuals, in line with local and departmental realities. The stated aim is to continuously enhance the satisfaction and sense of gain for enterprises and the public.

Why This Matters for Foreign Founders

For foreign entrepreneurs, China's "Handle One Thing Efficiently" reform is part of a broader effort to reduce administrative burdens. The reform seeks to make it easier to complete related government procedures by integrating services, though the source text does not provide specific details on which procedures are included in the second batch.

The explicit mention of "expanding high-level opening-up" and "optimizing the business environment" suggests that foreign-invested enterprises may benefit from these streamlining efforts. However, the notice does not specify new services for foreign founders or changes to registration requirements. Instead, it provides a policy framework for local governments to implement.

Foreign founders should be aware that implementation may vary by region and department. The notice encourages local authorities to adapt the measures to their own circumstances, meaning that the pace and scope of service improvements could differ across China.

Practical Takeaways

• Policy direction: The Chinese government continues to promote integrated government services to improve efficiency.
• Business environment focus: The notice explicitly includes optimizing the business environment and expanding opening-up as priority areas.
• Local implementation: Actual changes will depend on how local authorities roll out the second batch of items.
• No immediate new procedures: The source text does not announce new registration or operational requirements for foreign companies.

Context of the Reform

The "Handle One Thing Efficiently" initiative is a State Council-led effort to reorganize government services around the needs of businesses and individuals. The first batch of priority items for 2026 was presumably issued earlier, though the source text only covers the second batch. The notice is publicly released and can be found on the Chinese government website.

Foreign founders are advised to monitor local government announcements for specific service improvements that may affect company registration, permits, or other administrative processes. As always, consulting with local professionals can help navigate any changes.

Conclusion

The second batch of priority items under the "Handle One Thing Efficiently" reform reflects China's ongoing efforts to improve government services. For foreign founders, it signals a continued emphasis on streamlining administrative procedures, particularly in areas related to market access and the business environment. While the immediate impact may vary by region, staying informed about these developments can help foreign entrepreneurs better plan their operations in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.