Six laws and regulations, including the Administrative Licensing Law and the revised Law on Foreign Trade, will take effect Thursday in China, which experts say would help build a government under the rule of law and protect intellectual property rights in foreign trade.

The Administrative Licensing Law, the first of its kind in the world, streamlines administrative approval procedures and removes restrictions considered unnecessary.

Experts say the law helps curb protectionism and the abuse of power as it will restrict governments' power, help increase the transparency of the administrative approval procedures, and reduce the cost of administration.

Addressing Monday's meeting of the State Council, the Chinese government, Premier Wen Jiabao said the law will have a huge and far-reaching impact on the government work.

Governments at all levels should speed up the management reform and improve officials' managing ability by strictly enforcing the law, said Wen.

Under the revised law on foreign trade, China would protect intellectual property rights in foreign trade according to its related laws and regulations on intellectual property.

The law will enable trading companies in China for the first time to engage in foreign trade without obtaining government approval as of July 1 of this year.

According to the revised law, a company may engage in foreign trade after it registers with government departments concerned, and no official permission is required so long as the applicant is a legal company.

Previously, foreign trade companies had to obtain licenses from government departments before they can engage in foreign trade, and foreign trade companies have to meet official requirements before being granted the licenses.

A law on road transportation and a regulation on information disclosure by investment fund companies would also go into effect Thursday.

A law on the interests and rights of overseas Chinese living in China will also take effect Thursday, which offer legal protection of the legitimate interests and rights of overseas Chinese who now reside in China.

A licensing regulation on dangerous waste will also take effect Thursday, which bans unlicensed collection, storage and trading of dangerous waste.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2004)