China's State Council on Friday approved a new regulation designed to make it easier for the public to lodge complaints against what it deems as unjust government decisions.

 

According to the Regulation on Implementing Administrative Review Law, the public has the right to ask the government to review its actions and decisions that they believe have infringed upon their rights.

 

"It is an important platform for China's administrative organs to solve disputes, ease social tension and strengthen internal monitoring," an official with the State Council's legal office said in a written statement.

 

To ensure officials do not pass the buck, the regulation also stipulates that government bodies at all levels must take petitions seriously or their chief officials may be sacked.

 

The regulation is based on the Administrative Review Law China adopted in 1999, the official said. Since then, an average of more than 80,000 disputes have been resolved every year.

 

"It tightens the affinity between the government and the public, and helps improve the government image," the official said.

 

The regulation will take effect on August 1.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2007)