BEIJING, Dec. 19 -- The State Council, China's cabinet, has amended regulations on administrative examination and approval, abolishing or devolving them to subordinate government departments.

With immediate effect, some 16 administrative regulations were amended.

Qualification authentication and licensing of production and business operations were repealed, while the processes of administrative examination and approval were optimized. Interim and post supervision procedures were added to some regulations.

Two decisions earlier this year set aside or devolved administrative measures, transforming government function, stimulating vitality and creativity in the market.

Six regulations were amended, including those on foreign chambers, dangerous chemicals and marine pollution, and nine devolved authority including those on edible salt, audio and video duplication and animal fodder with additives.