Open Book, Open Government

On May 1, 2008, The Regulations on the Disclosure of Government Information of the People's Republic of China came into effect, requiring administrative organs to release all information designated as available to all citizens under the law. The statute gave a boost to the process of government transparency at all levels. Changsha County has been advancing in this direction step by step, and in a systematic way.

Feng Lixia, a professor with the Party School under the CPC Central Committee, sings the praises of government reforms in Changsha County, declaring it a model, well minted and organized, in the service of working out national practices and an inspiration even the central legislative committee can draw from.

Access to information is however only one of the many elements of an open government. According to Xu Yang, deputy director of the legal affairs office of the Changsha County government, the county is reaching for the open government goal on three fronts. The county government brings citizens into its executive meetings; establishments directly under the county government solicit public responses to their administrative rulings by holding hearings and mass discussions; and villages have set up public service platforms for their members to get acquainted with, and what's more, actively involved in, public affairs.

The Urban Management Bureau of Changsha County held a public hearing on licensing of natural gas pipe operations in towns and townships last summer. Bidding rules and contract conditions were drafted based on a consensus of the participants. Deng Xiuju, a resident representative, confirmed the bureau's good intentions to heed the general public, but suggested that more citizens could attend such events that address the concerns of such a broad spectrum of the population. Starting in December 2010 the county extended the experiment to its vast countryside, building conduits for its rural dwellers to have a fair presence and due voice in the rule of their region. The online service platform is scheduled to reach all villages in the county in five years. "The platform opens up government information efficiently and effectively," said Liu Suqi, a young village cadre, "because villagers can use the Internet anytime to look for government information they need, or send e-mails to the magistrate or department chiefs when necessary. The platform is very comprehensive and workable."

Public Vetting of Government Spending

Changsha started in July 2009 to unveil its finances to the public, reporting the whole process of drafting and approving the annual budget, and follow-up assessments of expenditures. "Every citizen can inquire into the financial status of the county, and every cent the government spends is subject to public monitoring," said Party Secretary Yang Yiwen. Wang Xixin, a professor at Peking University, said, "There are two facets of democracy in focus here: the macro political framework and the micro concrete system that allows the public to participate in the handling of public affairs." In other words, micro democracy is citizens acting on their rights as guaranteed by law."

Mingyue Village is among the first rural communities in Changsha County to place its financial dealings before the public. The change was hailed by both village cadres and its residents. "People are more inclined to extend their trust and support to us," said Yang Yiming, a village official. "We are seeing a strong desire to learn government policies concerning farming and farmers, and an eagerness to express ideas."

Long habituated to acting as passive onlookers, villagers were uncomfortable initially in their new roles as collective decision makers. Cadres had to go from door to door to publicize the transparency campaign, and prompt them to comment on village affairs. Eventually they were chasing after cadres to register their views on issues of concern. Public involvement took another jump after the government information platform went live on the Internet. In December 2010, 278 households in Shuanghe Village voted on their relocation site under an urban expansion plan, and on the construction blueprint of their new neighborhood.

Whether it takes the form of suggestions to improve national and local laws and regulations, recriminations for flaws in enforcement, or grumbling about public service or government workers, it is now routine in Changsha County for people to send advice or criticism to various government organs. In response to the surge in public feedback, and to maintain this momentum, the county drew up a decree on the collection and handling of citizen input and inquiries, requiring relevant departments to respond within s stipulated time frame.