A recent survey shows that 70 percent of respondents believe public officials are afraid of online supervision, and nearly 90 percent consider such fear a sign of progress.

Conducted by the People's Forum magazine, the survey polled a total of 6,243 people.

Among the 300 officials who took part in the survey, 47 percent think online supervision is most intimidating to county level cadres, especially county publicity chiefs and secretaries of the county Party committees.

As for what officials are most concerned about, 60 percent say it is the possibility of their oversights being exposed and ruining their careers; 28 percent say they are worried that their right to privacy may be violated and thus influence their everyday lives.

Regarding the defects and limitations of online supervision, 58 percent of respondents think related laws and regulations are not sound enough, and 23 percent say many views expressed on the Internet are often irrational and sometimes misleading.

To better regulate online supervision, 43 percent of respondents suggested establishing a free-expression mechanism, and 40 percent advised strengthening legislation and making online supervision run by the law.