Residents in Northeast China's Liaoning Province have begun electing their neighborhood committees in a move to exercise their democratic rights in deciding the future of their communities.
In Shihe of Anshan City, for example, 870 representatives elected five community officials out of seven candidates.
"Residents have shown great enthusiasm in electing their own community officials who will take care of their interests," said Lu Yingchun, a former director of the community said.
Xu Weijun, 90, was the oldest voter in the election.
"Despite my old age, I am a citizen and I have voting rights. I hope to get more involved in community affairs through exercising my rights," said Xu.
Zhang Nuan, a 24-year-old graduate from Liaoning Radio and Television University was elected director of the neighborhood committee, winning 868 votes.
"I must work hard and try my best to administer and build the community according to residents' opinions and suggestions. I will not let the voters down," said Zhang.
Voters gave warm applause to the newly formed neighborhood committee which is mainly composed of young people who possess good educational backgrounds.
Hu Jimin, deputy-director of the Anshan Civil Affairs Bureau, said the election in the Shihe community had perhaps started a new exploration into elections in neighborhood committees in China.
"In the past, neighborhood committee leaders were usually elected by community representatives. Many residents didn't even know who they were."
"Now the direct election enables each household in the community to actively participate in their community affairs," Hu added.
He said the practice of elections in the Shihe Community could spread to the city's 312 communities in the future. Liaoning has also made great efforts in ensuring that democratic rights at grassroot level are well exercised, according to the Liaoning Civil Affairs Bureau.
(China Daily April 15, 2002)
