A newly passed local regulation will encourage bolder reforms and wider participation by the public into government decisions.

The regulation clearly stipulates some situations to waive the responsibility of officials when schemes they initiate do not fulfil expected results.

The Regulation of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone for Reform and Innovation Promotion won a majority of votes from the standing committee of the Shenzhen People's Congress in its third reading of the regulation on Tuesday. The regulation will be effective as of July 1.

"It's definately a bold step towards developing a wide-range of reforms in the city, which is dubbed an 'experimental field' in political and economic reforms," said Yang Lixun, a professor with Shenzhen Academy of Social Science yesterday.

According to the regulation, officials must draft and implement reform plans conforming to a required procedure. This will ensure that individuals and related institutions are not benefiting from the project.

Liu Shuguang, deputy director of the Committee of Legislative Affairs of Shenzhen People's Congress, said the regulation, though controversial, could protect the reformers and foster a sounder environment for reform.

"Some legislators suggested rejecting the regulation to avoid causing losses to the country. But reform is complicated and high risk. If we don't tolerate mistakes, no one will be willing to make changes," Liu said.

Reform and innovation are the legal responsibility of all national institutes, public non-profit organizations and public societies, according to the regulation.

These entities should explain to the public if they do not propose a reform plan, or if the reform is different from what the public wants.

They may also be punished for rejecting or holding back reforms and innovation, or by making personal benefits in the name of the reform.

To encourage these entities to positively launch reform plans, the municipal government will set up a reform and innovation award for: Organizations and individuals who have actively pushed forward reforms; those who have gained great achievements in reforms and innovation research; those whose suggestions, after being adopted, have produced great economic and social benefits; and those who have rendered outstanding contributions to reform and innovation.

For every essential reform regarding the public interest, the concerned departments are required by the regulation to hold hearings.

"It's the first time in the country that major opinions collected from hearings could decide policy," Liu said.

Professor Yang believed Shenzhen would gradually develop a system to regulate the whole reform procedure, which would lead the way for other Chinese cities.

"Previously government officials had the final say on what to reform. Soon the situation will be changed," Yang said.

"Every reform will have a pattern to follow involving appraisal, public opinion and evaluation. This will reduce the blindness and randomness in reform practices," he added.

(China Daily March 16, 2006)