Tightened reins make gov't accountable
By Zhao Huanxin (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-14 22:49

The implementation of administrative accountability is expected to gain momentum in China, as the country intensifies its efforts to "hold those who exercise power accountable," legislators and academics said Sunday in Beijing.

Premier Wen Jiabao made the pledge at the National People's Congress (NPC) on March 5th that the government will perform all its duties in accordance with the law, and institute an accountability system for legal enforcement.

"We should regulate and restrict the extent to which powers are used by officials so they have a stronger sense that they are obliged to assume responsibilities matching their power," said NPC Deputy Shen Baochang.

Indeed, officials must pay a price if they breach their duties or take part in corrupt activities, Shen said at the NPC's annual March meeting, which concluded its 10-day agenda Sunday.

Yu An, an administrative law professor of the Tsinghua University in Beijing, reiterated the government view, saying accountability in government agencies and employees will be increasingly required.

In fact, China's legislation has always sought to ensure governments at all levels fulfill their duties within the scope of their authority as defined by law and in line with legal procedures, Yu said.

In addition to the Constitution, which empowers national legislators to address questions to and demand answers from the State Council or its departments, China has enacted laws on administrative review, administrative litigation and State compensation to enhance supervision of the government, he said.

Professor Du Gangjian of the National School of Administration said he believes an administrative accountability system will be more conscientiously implemented in the years ahead as China highlights governance in accordance with the law.

Nearly 1,000 government officials, including former Minister of Health Zhang Wenkang, were sacked or otherwise penalized last year for either concealing lax efforts to prevent the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreaks or even concealing the epidemic.

Accountability in public crises is being practiced increasingly in a number of areas nationwide.

Southwest China's Sichuan provincial government has issued regulations requiring officials to resign for serious mistakes, and Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan Province, has publicized interim provisions to hold government officials accountable for neglecting their duties, according to Chinese newspaper reports.

The accountability system, if well carried out, will also be conducive to help stem the country's staggering number of workplace accidents, said Li Yafang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference -- China's top political advisory body.

"Administrative accountability does not necessarily deal with just government employees who have made mistakes," Du said. "It should also apply to those with whom people are not satisfied in their work."

The oversight of the various committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, democratic parties, mass media and the general public on governments at all levels is important for the administrative accountability system to work, Du said.

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