The government should try hard to forge an effective information communication channel between decision-makers and the public, says an article in Beijing News. An excerpt follows:

Wang Qishan, mayor of Beijing, recently said the core of a harmonious Beijing is its practice of the "people-oriented" concept. Facilitating communication with residents is an indispensable part of this process. Wang also said no city can succeed without understanding, trust and support from ordinary citizens.

Indeed, a city belongs to all of its residents. Whether it is a harmonious city or not is decided by whether there is mutual understanding between decision-makers and residents. Communication is the key to realizing this kind of harmony.

But sometimes information asymmetry plagues city managers and the masses of ordinary residents.

On the one hand, some information known by the government is not available to people on the streets. On the other hand, in the absence of an effective transmission mechanism, some information acquired by residents does not make its way to top-level administrators in a timely manner. As a result, city decision-makers are often ignorant of the people's opinions and wishes, and their policies do not reflect the basic demands of citizens.

A reasonable and effective city management and public service system is based on timely communication.

To reach this goal, the government should be committed to transparency in its decision-making process, respect people's right to information and share information with them, especially when their security and interests are involved.

All possible channels should be used for tapping into public opinion, such as the people's congress and hearing systems, so that policies embody the views of residents. The government should also give the media a larger role in transmitting information from the government to the public.

Only with a transparent government and a highly efficient information communication system can a city realize harmonious administration.

(China Daily December 16, 2005)