Chinese lawmakers told to keep closer to the people

A new document from China's top legislature requires the country's lawmakers to maintain closer ties with the people and collect their opinions in person or via the Internet.

Released by the general office of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the document aims to ensure a smooth channel for lawmakers to communicate with the people and reflect their thoughts and opinions in work.

It urged people's congresses at various levels to organize deputies to go deep into people's work places, communities and villages to gather their demands and opinions on government work, which they should consider when reviewing bills and reports and raising suggestions.

According to the document, such efforts should be made "systematically and on a regular basis."

In particular, it urged people's congresses at the provincial level to set up and improve their official websites as a key platform for the interaction between lawmakers and the people.

It noted that during their contacts, lawmakers should make the Party's policies and guidelines, various laws and regulations and the decisions made by local people's congresses known to the people and inspect their implementation at the grassroots level. Endi