The rank and file have much easier access to government information, and their opinions are taken into serious consideration in government decisions, sources from the Suzhou government said.

"To enhance openness and transparency of administrative powers, we have taken actions to facilitate the information exchanges between the government and the public," said Li Fang, deputy head of the Suzhou Publicity Department.

One optional channel is the Internet. All municipal departments have opened websites, on which local residents can find information they need and give opinions on matters concerning public and personal interests through e-mails and the mayor's letter box, etc.

"Information on government decisions, department policies and so on must be publicized on the Internet to let people know what the government is doing," said Li.

To improve work efficiency, the Suzhou Social Service Centre was set up in 2002. All municipal administrative departments have reception desks there to provide quick service to the public.

"The administrative work efficiency has been greatly improved," said Wang Jianping, who was there applying for a passport. "We only need to come here to fill in the forms and things will be done in the designated time."

Each department's performance is also supervised closely to ensure quality service.

"The work procedure is very much standardized and we must, for example, complete the licensing within 5 days, or people can file complaints against us," said Tang Juan, a staffer at the desk of Suzhou Industry and Commerce Bureau, who was checking all the papers a customer provided for the opening of a grocery store.

"We can easily find out the real performance of government departments in the centre from the computer," said Chen Yongli, a representative from the city supervision bureau stationed in the centre.

What is more, the mayor can learn about the administrative execution of powers from his office computer, which is connected to the terminal in the centre.

To inform the public of the latest government administrative work, information regarding decisions and policies is released at regular press conferences and revealed through the media, thus shortening the distance between government and citizens.

Another innovative project in Suzhou is the public information booths in communities and on the street sidewalks.

Started in 2005 as part of a transparent government project, 350 booths have been installed in the city proper. From the booths, people can use touch-screens to find information related to government policies, job hunting, etc. Altogether 1,000 booths will be built by the end of 2009, reaching every community.

Issues concerning people's immediate interests are highest on the government's agenda and receive special attention.

Any government decisions related to people's interests are first discussed at expert consultation sessions and then taken to hearings for further confirmation before they can be finalized and put into practice.

(China Daily February 14, 2007)