Channels should be provided for the public to express their
opinions, says an article in Beijing News. An excerpt
follows:
The transportation bureau of Chongqing revealed on Saturday that
its senior officials will take turns going to work by bus instead
of by government car.
A deputy director of the bureau spent one hour and five minutes
on a bus to cover the distance he usually travels in 20 minutes by
car. The official then said it is really hard for ordinary people
to take buses to work.
Frankly speaking, this should not be a headline. According to
related regulations, this deputy director has no qualification to
use special government cars to travel to and from work. Also, as a
transportation official, he should often take buses to know the
real situation and listen to public opinions. When the government
is advocating bus rides to ease urban congestion, transportation
officials in particular should take the lead.
It is reported that these officials' bus rides were inspired by
a serious accident that occurred when a bus fell off a bridge in
Chongqing earlier this month, killing 29 and wounding more. Without
this shock, transportation officials might still go to work in the
special government cars.
In reality, not many senior officials are taking buses to
work.
Every civil servant should enhance the concept of serving the
public as a code of conduct, a basic ability and a daily habit.
Public administrators should know the real situation of public
life. All officials should participate often in real life as common
citizens, not escorted bosses. Only by doing this can the officials
know the difficulties of the public.
Officials should not only take the bus, but also take the
initiative to solicit public opinions. There are millions of people
taking buses, but their problems cannot all be met by the officials
on the bus. Furthermore, it is a question whether this action will
be implemented for long.
So the government should set up a regular platform to let
citizens' voices be heard. There should be a public forum to let
people speak out.
Hong Kong's experience can be borrowed here. The renowned City
Forum, a live public debate, has been shown on TV every Sunday
since 1980. Experts, members of the Legislative Council and
government officials participate to discuss hot topics, while
citizens at the site can express their opinions as well.
(China Daily October 25, 2006)