Authorities ordered to increase public access to information

A groundbreaking measure in the interest of greater transparency is the way analysts are describing a new State Council regulation ordering authorities at all levels to grant public requests for information.

The regulation, signed by Premier Wen Jiabao on April 5 but released only yesterday, urges government departments at all levels to release information that 'affects the immediate interests of individuals and groups' or 'should be known by the masses'.

It will come into effect on May 1 next year.

State Council legislative office vice-director Zhang Qiong said that with the regulation the government hoped to 'safeguard the rights of citizens, corporations and other organisations to acquire information according to the law, enhance the transparency of the government's work and create a society of harmony'.

The regulation will require administrations to respond within 20 days to requests from the public for information about government finances, economic plans, statistics, land seizures and housing demolitions, public emergencies, investigations into environmental protection and other policies.

To ensure the rule is effectively implemented, the State Council will also set up a series of assessment and monitoring systems to gauge compliance with the official obligations for information and allow citizens to sue or lodge complaints against parties who fail to meet the demands.

The State Council has also urged governments at various levels to prepare a regularly updated list of information available to the public, and release the material through various media, including newspapers and the internet. In addition, governments have to improve the public's access to information at libraries and other community venues.