More channels should be provided for citizens to express their opinions on public affairs, says a signed article in China Reform Daily. An excerpt follows:

It is an age of citizens writing letters to high-ranking officials or petitions to the National People's Congress (NPC) to appeal for their legal rights.

Last week Gao Jiawei, a professor with China University of Political Science and Law, wrote a letter to Minister of Communications Li Shenglin questioning the collection and utilization of road tolls. Previously Hao Jinsong, a 34-year-old law school student at the same university, wrote a letter to Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun asking his ministry not to increase the price of tickets during the Spring Festival. And last December Shanghai lawyer Yao Jianguo published a petition to the Standing Committee of the NPC on an Internet forum, criticizing the police of Futian District of Shenzhen for parading 100 prostitutes, pimps and their clients. Similar reports can be found now and then.

It is an age of awakening of rights. A batch of lawyers and scholars stand out to publicize their comments and requests on public affairs, which helps promote the rule of law in our society. But when writing letters becomes a major channel for citizens to express their appeal for rights, it undoubtedly shows the illness of the society.

Such letters can express public concerns but cannot increase public power. They are not part of an institutionalized procedure.

In a society of law, writing letters asking for legal rights can be one choice but should not be the common practice. There should be more formal channels that can really restrict the power of the legislature and administration.

The government and officials should pay attention to public voices. We need more smooth channels for the public to express their opinions.

(China Daily January 24, 2007)