In 2004, with the implementation of the people-centered concept
of development, government bodies at all levels met unprecedented
challenges: suddenly they had to deal with more complex and
multifaceted objectives and issues. The effects of international
pressures were greater, as were the pressures of various -- and
often conflicting -- interest groups and social trends. At the same
time, their own administration was being more tightly controlled
and regulated, according to an article in the March 7 issue of
Outlook Weekly.
Satisfying diverse needs
The article said the core content of the government's
people-centered concept of scientific development lies in enabling
more people to enjoy the fruits of development more fairly:
essentially, making the nation's reform more systematic and its
objectives more balanced. This was a conspicuous characteristic of
the government's policymaking last year.
Government work was steered toward including the interests of
different groups. Because the largest group in China is farmers and
the largest gap is between the urban and rural areas, the central
government issued many policies to benefit farmers, while other
disadvantaged groups and regions became a major focus.
In 2004, the central government released the No. 1 Document on
agriculture, which set out such policies as scrapping the
agricultural tax and offering direct subsidies to farmers. Direct
benefits to farmers are assessed at 45.1 billion yuan (US$5.5
billion). Following this, another 27 preferential policies for this
group were issued in the No. 1 Document of the Central Committee of
the Communist Party of China (CPC).
These policies indicate the government's determination to carry
out tougher reforms, adjusting financial mechanisms to downsize the
grassroots bureaucracy while maintaining normal operations.
Ultimately, this will benefit the farmers by steering public
expenditure toward such areas as education, health and
infrastructure construction.
Government work is changing to include comprehensive development
as well as specific emphasis, according to Liu Chun, director of
the CPC Central Committee Party School department of politics and
law.
Improving emergency response
The increase in emergencies in the past several years has
required the government to adjust its emphasis and pace according
to importance and urgency. Also, issues that were once considered
non-mainstream have come within the scope of the government, said
Liu.
Such changes were first demonstrated in the fight against SARS
(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003. In 2004, the
government had a better understanding and more mature policies to
handle emergencies and group disturbances, such as when it had to
deal with bottlenecks in coal, power and oil transportation;
frequent industrial accidents; food safety incidents; and
environmental disasters.
Governments at all levels now have a sense of crisis, and their
investment in emergency preparedness and law enforcement has
shifted toward areas that have been largely ignored for the past 20
years.
Raising standards for gov't administration
A government ruled by law is the foundation of a country ruled
by law. At present, an estimated 80 percent of all active laws and
regulations are those pertaining to governance and administration,
and many are being strengthened and clarified.
For example, China first adopted the official accountability
system during SARS outbreak. The Provisional Rules on Resignation
of Leadership issued last April expanded and improved the system.
Sanctions are also being strengthened.
Public awareness of the law has also changed the administrative
environment. People are demanding a higher standard of governance.
The social interest structure, personal interest appeals and the
complex interrelations between social classes may have created some
clashes between people of different social interest groups, but has
also helped to improve public awareness of the law.
As democracy becomes the crux of law, the pressure of
governmental decentralization and internal improvement is
increasing and creating new rules for the game.
Increased gov't transparency, supervision
An information society demands transparency in governmental
operations. Last year, the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline
Inspection adopted a uniform management system for its
representative offices all over the country. The commission and the
Organization Department of the CPC Central Commission dispatched
joint inspection teams to increase supervision of provincial and
municipal leading groups, especially of the principals of those
groups. Liu Chun believes that this helped bring the leadership to
get on the right track.
In the same year, a number of rules and directives came out to
clarify and define rights and responsibilities of Party and
government members, while informant hotlines were created to
facilitate public participation.
Accelerated, accurate response to trends
Maintaining social stability is at the center of Chinese policy
as the country pursues its reforms. However, the diversification of
interests means that reform can at times create conflicts between
groups. The government must have the ability to identify and assess
these issues, communicate effectively and rapidly, and adjust
policies to optimize public support.
The widening wealth and development gaps, both regionally and
socially, are drawing louder cries for social justice. These
appeals from groups are having a greater impact on society as a
whole and are a graphic demonstration of the feasibility and
effectiveness of policies.
The government should reexamine and, if necessary, adjust its
policies to improve their functionality and pertinence, thus
maintaining overall social stability.
(Outlook Weekly translated by Yuan Fang and Li Shen for
China.org.cn, March 25, 2005)