China's cabinet promises information transparency

BEIJING -- China's cabinet on Tuesday promised to improve information transparency to better respond to people's concerns.

Information releasing should be active, timely, comprehensively and accurate, according to a circular issued by the State Council.

Transparency in government information is a basic requirement for closer government-people relations and further transformation of governing manners, said the circular, describing transparency as an important measure to enhance the government's credibility and safeguard the people's rights to know, participate in and supervise government.

However, it warned, some local governments have not publicized information in a timely manner, or even keep silent on issues concerning the people, which has caused public misunderstanding and tarnished the government's image.

The State Council urged governments at all levels to adopt various new media channels to release information and interact with the public as well as to improve their news spokesman systems and official websites.

It also urged them to establish a sound system to respond to public concerns and communicate with the people.

Governments should also be transparent in the use of power and policy-making, letting people "see, understand and supervise," according to the circular.