Guangzhou leads the nation in introducing online business registration by incorporating smart technologies to offer a much quicker service.

Applicants can now register their businesses through personal computers, mobile apps and smart systems set up in official registration halls and bank networks. The new method cuts the entire registration process from a minimum of one day to just 10 minutes.

The new process allows for appointment-free, 24-hour paperless registration. Utilizing facial recognition technology, smart identity verification and intelligent address matching, it is the first "artificial intelligence plus robotics" registration model in China.

The system, now available in the Guangzhou Municipal Industrial and Commercial Administrative Bureau and at the industrial and commercial administrative bureaus in Yuexiu, Haizhu, Tianhe, Huangpu and Nansha districts, as well as at branches of the Agricultural Bank of China and the Guangzhou Rural Commercial Bank, will gradually be implemented throughout the city before the end of the year.

Following are the four steps involved for online business registration:

1. Register an account on http://www.gzaic.gov.cn/, and enter the "full electronic process for enterprise registration system" through personal computers, mobile apps and smart systems set up in official registration halls and banks. Then fill out basic information about the enterprise.

2. Use facial recognition or a bank's USB-shield to sign digital signatures.

3. Wait for smart verification.

4. Receive a paper business license. Applicants can get the licenses from intelligent licensing robots, Express Mail Service (EMS) or registration windows.