China is to repeal entry and exit permits for the transport of corpses to simplify procedures for public convenience and to enhance government administration efficiency, according to a Frontier Health and Quarantine Law draft amendment.

It was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation on Sunday.

According to the existing law, consignors or agents must get an entry or exit permit from the relevant authorities before they transport a corpse or human remains across the country's border.

The requirement was deleted in the draft. It now stipulated that "a consignor or an agent for the transportation of a corpse or human remains into or out of the country must declare the matter to a frontier health and quarantine office; transport thereof, in either direction across the border, shall not be allowed until sanitary inspection proves satisfactory."

Cao Kangtai, Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council director, told the legislative session that requirements of corpses varied from other goods going into or out of the country.

"However, as long as consignors and agents provide certificates on the identity of the deceased, the death certificate and embalming information to the frontier health and quarantine authorities for verification, it is unnecessary for them to undergo administrative approval procedures," he said, citing past experience.

The move was part of the government's reform of administrative procedures for examination and approval. It strived to more effectively administer public services and social order, according to Cao.

The State Council, or the cabinet, scrapped 1,806 items subject to examination and approval between October 2001 and April this year.

In addition, the cabinet decided to remove another 128 administrative procedures for examination and approval and amended 58 others to cut government red tape.

The 31st session of the 10th NPC Standing Committee started Sunday and runs through Dec. 29.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2007)