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China to Open Access to Government Files
China has adopted a law that would open information about the government’s activities to journalists and anyone interested, the Xinhua news agency reported Thursday. The bill, which comes into forces next spring, is part of Beijing’s efforts to democratize the society. A session of the Chinese Communist Party this fall is expected to give the go-ahead to more reforms in mass media.
The law on the access to information was adopted in April, but Chinese authorities did not give report it until Thursday. “This bill is a landmark in our history,” Xinhua said in a report. Chinese authorities have not committed to provide access to the information about the government’s work up until now. “If officials wanted, they would inform people, if not – they could hide everything,” China’s major news agency had to admit.
The new bill is to break this habit, obliging all governmental agencies to give regular reports on their activities. There is more to it, “any person or legal entity can request the required information on the work of the government as long as it is not a state secret.”
Beijing has recently become acutely aware that bureaucracy is slowing down the country’s progress. China has recently been stepping up efforts to make decision-making more transparent.
The law comes into effect on May 1, 2008, a date by which the Chinese political system may undergo some liberalization, analysts believe. A session of the Chinese Communist Party this fall is expected to announce a decision to revamp the Party and suggestion to ask other parties permitted in the country to take part in administration. Upcoming reforms may be also instrument in improving China’s image ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
ww.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 11, 2007
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