Illustration: Zhang Ruiqi/People's Daily Online

BEIJING, May 7 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang harshly criticized the country's excessive regulation and red tape on Wednesday, ridiculing that a citizen was even asked to prove "your mother is your mother" when obtaining a government permit.

"How ridiculous! The citizen only intended to go travelling abroad and take a vacation," Li was quoted as saying Wednesday at a State Council executive meeting on the cabinet's website. "I wonder whether these government departments are caring for the public or intentionally obstructing them."

Further demonstrating his point, Li cited another story in which a model worker from southernmost province of Hainan had to acquire eight stamps from the government before attending a high-level event in Beijing. Only after a senior official from the provincial government stepped in was he successful.

"Why is it so hard for the public to obtain certificates from the government? Why do government departments set so many barriers for ordinary citizens?" Li asked.

He said after two years of simplifying administrative procedures and delegating power to lower levels, there is still a large gap between actual results and people's expectations.

This is not the first time Li vented his lack of satisfaction with government bureaucracy. Li lambasted officials for time-consuming, redundant procedures in implementing central policies in April. He also criticized state-owned banks for not cooperating with efforts to boost economic growth during an inspection trip in northeast Jilin Province.

Li recalled at the meeting that a Taiwanese entrepreneur once complained to him that the government lacked efforts in intellectual property protection.

"After we developed a new product, instantly someone will copy us. But it is still useless when we turn to the government or take it to the court," Li quoted the Taiwan businessman as saying.

Li also vowed the government would perform its duties to take responsibilities for the public.