BEIJING, Aug. 21 -- China's State Council decided Wednesday to further ease market access by promoting separation of permits from business licenses in pilot free trade zones (FTZ).

Starting December 1, the country will carry out trial programs of separating operation permits from business licenses in all pilot FTZs, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.

The move, in a bid to level the playing field for all market entities, is conducive to improvements of the business environment, the statement said.