More than 85 percent of central and local government organs in China have set up websites to provide online information and services, according to a report from the State Information Center.

The report said by the end of 2006, more than 90 percent of China's ministries and governments at provincial and prefecture levels had their own websites, while the figure for county level governments reached 80 percent.

Government websites release timely and accurate information on public affairs, and have expanded online services rapidly, said the report.

The websites of ten government departments -- relating to customs, foreign exchange, commerce, and taxation -- have been linked to make it easier for companies to make customs declarations.

China's central government launched its website in 2006 aiming to promote transparent governance, improve public service, and safeguard citizens' rights to know, take part in, and supervise governmental affairs.

In 2006, it released more than 500 State Council documents and 250 gazettes, broadcast live more than 60 important meetings and activities of departments under the State Council, and invited 22 senior officials in the central or provincial governments to talk with netizens.

People can access some 1,100 services provided by 71 departments through the websites, including tourism information during the "golden week", civil service examinations and consumer protection services.

According to the US-based Alexa web information company, China's government website is currently the world's second most visited government website, outranked only by the Canadian government's website.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2007)