BEIJING — Nine Chinese industry associations were invited by the Ministry of Civil Affairs to attend a symposium and hailed a circular that calls on authorities to fully consider opinions raised by enterprises and industry associations when formulating administrative regulations and normative documents.

At the symposium held in Beijing on March 19, the attendees studied the circular released by the State Council earlier this month and related instructions by Premier Li Keqiang in his speech at a State Council executive meeting on February 20, according to a statement issued by the ministry on March 20.

The nine associations cover industries of nonferrous metals, coal, automobile, insurance asset management, international contractors, agriculture, air transport, tourism and Internet social organizations.

The circular required authorities to fully listen to opinions of representative companies, industry associations, and legal associations, especially the opinions of private enterprises, labor-intensive enterprises, and small-and-medium-sized enterprises.

The circular provided regulations for industry associations to participate in the process of policy making, Ye Shengji, deputy secretary general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said at the symposium.

“The association will support this endeavor by building an industry think tank and a platform that facilitate connection with authorities,” Ye said. Ye also suggested authorities do thorough research before formulating regulations and policies.

Other attendees also voiced their support for the circular and proposed advice for authorities.

The symposium called on social organization administrations to study the circular and provide guidance for industry associations while asking industry associations to learn about enterprises’ appeals and report them to authorities.