China looks to standardize transparency

China will comprehensively promote the standardization of transparency in primary-level government affairs as part of its effort to build a services-oriented government to better meet the needs of businesses and the people.

A host of steps in this respect were adopted on Wednesday during the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.

"Government affairs at the primary level are closest to the daily lives of the people," Li said. "We must do a better job in making primary-level government affairs open by promoting the standardization of the practice, making sure that the disclosure of decision-making information will be the norm, and the lack of it, the exception."

Attendees of the meeting decided that building on the pilot reform, standardization will be further promoted for the transparency of affairs covering all government services in counties and city districts as well as at the township and community levels. No government information that should be made public will be withheld.

More public involvement will be encouraged, the attendees further decided. Primary-level governments will clearly define the scope and format for public involvement in administrative decision-making and disclose this information to the public. They must promptly respond to and address any public concerns about policy implementation and project development.

"There must be sufficient public involvement as we promote government affairs transparency. The views and suggestions of the people must be fully heeded through public hearings and discussions when it comes to issues that involve the vital interests of the public," Li said, "Our effort in promoting government affairs transparency should be compatible with the self-governance of villagers and community residents."

By the end of 2020, primary-level governments will be expected to have formulated a catalog of government affairs to be made public. Governments at the primary level will release their service items as well as guidelines and processes for accessing these services both online and offline.

To make it easier for businesses and people to access government services, county-level governments will open unified online portals for accessing government services, attendees decided.

"In promoting the standardization of transparency in primary-level government services, we must follow a realistic approach in light of local conditions," Li said. "Given the size of our country and how much regions vary from each other, we must take into full account the realities on the ground. This will help ensure that work on this front achieves its desired results."