The first institute of government administration in China was inaugurated at the Beijing University on Saturday.

Participants included Ding Shisun, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and Luo Haocai and Chen Jinhua, vice-chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The institute, headed by Luo Haocai, has departments of political science, administration, public relations policy, urban management, a research center and an MPA education center.

Beijing University opened its political science course more than 100 years ago. It has trained large groups of administrative personnel for the country.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2001)