Commentary

China Watch

Forum Digests

Columnists

Letters

Apology good, action better

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-11 07:49

It is good to see the government apologize to residents for mistakes in its work and we hope an apology will be followed by concrete actions, says an article on the website of People's Daily. The following is an excerpt:

Recently, the government of Beijing Chaoyang district apologized to the residents for the odor from garbage dumps, which could cause health problems. The government vowed to get rid of the bad smell within 20 days. The apology on an environmental issue is welcomed by the public.

The apology signals that the government should provide good services to citizens. We are used to thanking the government for its good deeds. Actually, it is not that necessary. It is in fact the principle of the Party and the government to serve the people wholeheartedly. It is the people themselves who elect the governments of different levels through democratic and legal procedures. We call officials "the servants of the people".

People should demand that officials work more diligently and there is no need to thank them even if they are doing good deeds. If mistakes occur in their work, they must immediately apologize to the people. That is what a modern people-oriented government should look like.

We have to point out that the apology should not be viewed as an expediency; nor should it be used as a perfunctory means to deal with criticism from superiors and supervision from the public. The apology must be out of their hearts and remedies should be taken immediately. If officials are indifferent to the real problems encountered by the people and use "apologies" only as a tool to show their care without practical actions, people will not accept this type of apologies.

The apology also marks the progress of the society. Of course, apology is just a formality; the more important thing is that officials should take the issues of the people seriously. Only by respecting the rights of citizens can the government win public trust and the society develop harmoniously.

(China Daily 09/11/2008 page8)