Government officials should show tolerance toward criticism raised by members of the CPPCC, says an article in Legal Daily. The following is an excerpt:

Before the annual sessions of the NPC and CPPCC, some members of the CPPCC had criticized the work of local governments, but they failed to heed it.

Wu Jianmin, the spokesman of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC, cited statutes of the CPPCC that "members have the right to suggest and criticize the work of governments and officials".

Government officials should show their tolerance to criticism. The members are not court judges that need to depend on impartial and full evidence to make a ruling; their criticism is based on their own knowledge and sometimes the limited information released by the governments.

Facing criticism, even though not based on 100 percent correct evidence, officials should be more tolerant and try to explain administrative information.

If local governments do have faults, they should candidly admit them, and shoulder their responsibilities. If members misunderstand, officials should try and explain to them where they are wrong.

If government officials show no hesitation in simply retorting to criticism, be it valid or not, they will lose grace and confidence of the public.

(China Daily March 7, 2008)