On June 4, 2014, Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council. The meeting concluded that, in order to further enhance the efficiency of human resource allocation, while maintaining the existing standards for qualifications and credentials, a number of professional qualification licenses and certifications should be reduced. A batch of entry-level professional and technical qualifications will be canceled in the initial phase. Henceforth, any profession that does not have... Law Regulatory bases and various occupational qualifications independently established by different regions and departments will no longer be subject to licensing or certification. A system of occupational qualifications based on competency assessments, organized and conducted by industry associations, academic societies, and other social organizations, will be gradually established.

　　On August 19, 2014, Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council and decided to introduce further measures to streamline administration and delegate power, as well as to continue expanding the effectiveness of reform. The meeting resolved to abolish once again a batch of occupational qualification licenses and certification items that had been independently established by various departments and industry associations, lacked strong professional relevance, and were inadequately supported by laws and regulations. This move will ensure that employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation are no longer burdened by an excessive number of “certificates,” enabling talented individuals from all walks of life to pursue their ambitions with greater freedom and confidence.

　　On December 12, 2014, Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council, during which a new batch of measures aimed at streamlining administration and delegating power, as well as combining deregulation with regulation, were approved. These measures are intended to promote the transformation of government functions and build a modern government. The meeting concluded that the cancellation of 68 professional qualification licenses and certifications—including those for landscape designers—would help standardize the management of professional qualifications and foster market-oriented evaluation of professional competence.

　　On July 15, 2015, Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council and decided to further abolish a batch of vocational qualification licenses and certifications, thereby unleashing entrepreneurial and innovative vitality through reform. The meeting also laid out policy measures to promote stable growth in imports and exports, bolstering development momentum amid broader opening-up. Building on the 149 vocational qualifications already abolished since 2014, the meeting decided to eliminate an additional 62 qualifications, including online advertising brokers, registered e-commerce specialists, national foreign trade salespersons, and port handling workers.

　　Relevant Document: Decision of the State Council on Cancelling a Batch of Occupational Qualification Licenses and Certification Items (Guofa [2015] No. 41)

　　On January 13, Premier Li Keqiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council and decided to abolish 61 items, including automotive marketing specialists, baristas, and certified human resource managers.