Standing Committee member of the Communist Party of China's Political Bureau Luo Gan said at a legal work meeting on Tuesday that public security and judicial departments must handle "collective incidents" in line with the law and "prevent and eliminate social conflicts to a maximum extent."

He was referring to a growing number of cases of public discontent that have in some places sparked sit-ins, protests and even violent conflicts recently.

Luo's speech should not be read as merely a directive to public security and judicial departments. Many government agencies need to examine the way they have been dealing with public opinions and interests, rather than simply counting on public security and judicial departments to sort the mess out.

Our society is changing rapidly, and it is reshaping our minds. It is important for social harmony that different opinions are addressed and lawful rights protected.

The government is responsible for caring about public complaints - many of which are about requisition of land, relocation and restructuring and bankruptcy of State factories initiated by government offices. Many of the cases are considered to have been infringements on private rights.

According to the State Letters and Complaints Bureau, more than 80 per cent of people's complaints are reasonable. The local authorities need to handle them properly so they do not become a source of social instability.

Neither the public nor the top leadership wants to see an undercurrent of unresolved cases or simmering tension.

They need to be more considerate when it comes to making decisions concerning the public interest, which would be a more fundamental approach to reducing the occurrence of "collective incidents."

Luo said on Tuesday that "the making of any reform and development scheme should take account of the fundamental interests of the people."

This is a good reminder of social responsibility to many local officials obsessed with pursuing political credit.

(China Daily December 10, 2004)