China is mulling an interim regulation that would improve transparency in the drafting of major administrative policies.
According to the draft regulation, released Friday, all major policies regarding people’s vital interests or having big influences on their rights and obligations should be made available for public solicitation.
The draft, released by the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council, dedicated an entire chapter to “Public Participation,” which specified the requirement on such procedures.
Such participation could be carried out in various forms including public hearings, questionnaires, surveys and interviews, according to the draft.
It also noted that the period of soliciting public opinion should be no less than 30 days.
Feedback is required on key issues brought up by the public, according to the draft.
Currently, there is still insufficient public participation in some cases, which has harmed the credibility of the government, said the office in an explanatory note.
The draft also highlighted the role of feasibility studies and risk evaluation procedures in decision making.
The public can submit their opinions at chinalaw.gov.cn before July 8.
Follow this news feed: East Asia