China will strengthen credit checks of individuals and businesses and cut their evidentiary burden when applying for government approval or registration.

Under a pilot program initiated by the Ministry of Justice, the applicants will only need to promise that they meet the government requirements and be willing to bear legal liability for false information, instead of presenting related certificates or proof as required previously.

The administrative organs will directly handle the applications and examine their credentials in their database later, according to a plan for the pilot issued by the ministry.

Applicants who have poor credit records or make false promises may still need to submit the documents required for their applications, according to a ministry official.

Administrative organs will need to carefully check if the applicants keep their promises, according to the official, who added that those making false promises would be blacklisted.

The pilot program will run for half a year in 13 provincial-level regions and five departments under the country's cabinet, according to the plan.