China aims at improved openness of gov't affairs

The General Office of the State Council has demanded improved openness of government affairs to stabilize public expectations, improve services, and facilitate oversight of power and implementation of policies.

In a circular entitled "Key Points of Government Affairs Disclosure in 2019," the office asks government agencies to publicize and precisely interpret policy initiatives designed to improve macro-control, stimulate market vitality and improve the business environment.

It calls for more transparency of macro-policy pre-adjustment and fine-tuning, saying government agencies should step up communication with market entities before the introduction and adjustment of policies to better meet people's needs.

The directive foresees a unified platform to publicize information on law enforcement, including law enforcement duties, basis, procedures, methods of oversight and law enforcement results.

Priority should be given to improving disclosure of information in key areas concerning people's wellbeing, employment, education, healthcare, old-age care and land acquisition, it says.

Local government departments are urged to speed up the disclosure of financial information, such as project texts and performance targets, and advance the construction of a unified national platform for local government debt information disclosure.

The document calls for standard development of high-quality government websites, improving electronic versions of government information bulletins, as well as promoting mobile devices-based government information bulletins.