A senior government official on Thursday ordered local industry and commerce law enforcement departments to standardize their practices in dealing with township-based companies and business owners.

Zhou Bohua, chief of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, said that some local industry and commerce departments have imposed improper fines and charges, while some officials are "rude and too simplistic" in their approach when enforcing laws and regulations.

"We need to firmly correct the misuse of power and unfair treatment by some officials," Zhou said at a meeting held in Beijing.

Zhou said local officials must strictly abide by discipline while dealing with companies and businesses.

According to Zhou, 80 percent of China's local industry and commerce departments have established discipline inspectors to promote fair and civilized law enforcement.