China's State Council on Friday approved a new regulation
designed to make it easier for the public to lodge complaints
against what it deems as unjust government decisions.
According to the Regulation on Implementing Administrative
Review Law, the public has the right to ask the government to
review its actions and decisions that they believe have infringed
upon their rights.
"It is an important platform for China's administrative organs
to solve disputes, ease social tension and strengthen internal
monitoring," an official with the State Council's legal office said
in a written statement.
To ensure officials do not pass the buck, the regulation also
stipulates that government bodies at all levels must take petitions
seriously or their chief officials may be sacked.
The regulation is based on the Administrative Review Law China
adopted in 1999, the official said. Since then, an average of more
than 80,000 disputes have been resolved every year.
"It tightens the affinity between the government and the public,
and helps improve the government image," the official said.
The regulation will take effect on August 1.
(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2007)