China's government is to step up efforts to strengthen administration by law and to raise its executive ability and credibility, said a government statement Wednesday.

Some local governments and departments had prominent problems of defying the law in administration and greater efforts must be paid to build government by law, said the statement released after an executive meeting of China's State Council, or Cabinet, which was chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday.

The making of major policies must be subject to procedures such as soliciting of public opinions, consultations with experts, risk analysis, legality assessment and group decision-making, it said.

The government must optimize the system of public opinion solicitation in drafting administrative laws and regulations, and enforce the law in a strict, just way, it said.

The statement said public supervision of the government must be strengthened by making government affairs more transparent and ensuring the rights of the public and the media to report wrongdoing.

The government must fully implement of the policy of holding officials accountable for any malpractice or dereliction of duty, it said.

The government must also play a greater role mediating disputes and actively guide the public to appeal and settle disputes in accordance with the law.