Authority demands transparency in handling lawmakers' suggestions

BEIJING - A Chinese authority has urged government departments to disclose what they have done to address suggestions and proposals by the country's legislators and political advisors.

In a circular issued by the General Office of the State Council on Friday, the authority called on local governments and departments to properly disclose their work in handling suggestions from deputies of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and proposals from members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body.

The disclosure is part of the government's efforts to enhance transparency and will also help supervision by the top legislature and political advisory body of government work, according to the circular.

Government departments were told to publish documents that address suggestions or proposals relevant to the public's rights and interests or those of great public concern, according to the circular.

Starting from next year, such documents should be published in summary, covering all main points of the papers, and the full texts of such documents will be made available two years later, it said.

The circular noted that the authorities may also publish necessary interpretations of the documents for the public's understanding, and they should listen to the public's advice and respond to public concerns.