Xiao Yaqing (C), chief of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) greets journalists at a press conference on the reform of state-owned enterprises on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 12th National People's Congress in Beijing, March 12, 2016.[Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/chinadaily.com.cn]

China will step up its efforts to restructure its major State-owned enterprises or SOEs this year, said Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), in Beijing on Saturday.

"Last year, 12 central State-owned enterprises were restructured and the effect is quite positive," he told a media conference on the sidelines of the ongoing legislator and policy advisor meetings. "This year, we will strengthen the initiative."

The SASAC will also allow SOEs to have more freedom in corporate decision-making so that they could remain competitive and withstand market forces, he said.

In November, the State Council, China's cabinet, had unveiled a guideline for reforming the management of SOEs. It included plans to establish an investment firm to manage State capital and restructure SOEs.