Over the past decade, Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China, or OVC) has continuously advanced its government service reform from "government approval" to "public service".

This has led to a fourfold increase in the number of business entities, with government service locations expanding from one to a system of "1+8+108+N", bringing services directly to residents and businesses.

Government service windows in OVC. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

In 2014, OVC pioneered the consolidation of business licenses, organizational codes, and tax registration certificates into a single document, streamlining the application process and stimulating market vitality. The number of business entities has since increased annually by approximately 20,000.

In 2016, OVC addressed challenges such as difficulties in obtaining permits by leading the province in implementing the "separation of permits and licenses" reform and extending it across the entire zone. OVC also became the first in the nation to establish a trademark acceptance window in its free trade zone.

This year, the zone developed the country's first low-altitude shared drone application demonstration zone and launched the nation's first low-altitude economic service window. Government services in OVC have also achieved several "national and provincial firsts", with each reform and innovation aligning with the zone's development.

"These reform measures reflect a shift towards meeting the needs of business entities and residents," said an official from OVC's bureau of government services and big data management. "Reform and adjustments will continue to be oriented towards 'usefulness', creating a more favorable business environment through the delivery of higher-quality services."