BEIJING -- The State Council has decided to remove or modify 314 administrative examination and approval items, in a bid to further clear systematic obstacles for its social and economic development and curb corruption.

The decision was included in a statement released Wednesday after an executive meeting of the State Council, which was presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao.

According to the statement, 184 administrative approval items were canceled while the power to approve 117 items was handed down to government departments at lower levels.

This round of reductions, the sixth of its kind since the reform on administrative approval system kicked off in 2001, mainly covers investment and social projects, with a special focus on the real economy, small and micro-sized enterprises and private investments.