Ordinary people in this open coastal city in northeast China's Liaoning province have been given freer access to what are commonly known as "red-titled documents" due to the fact that government documents usually carry a title printed in red.
Such documents had been restricted across the country to government officials for decades.
Now the residents in Dalian are allowed to consult government documents free-of-charge at two existing service centers for official papers.
"As an ordinary citizen, I'm so pleased to get the chance to read the 'red-titled documents' issued by the government," said Yin Xuelin, a worker at a sewage treatment plant in the city's economic development zone. "The access to official papers reflects the democratized administration and social progress of China."
In the past, the Chinese government and its functionary departments enacted decrees by issuing "red-titled documents", which covered mainly major measures to promote social development and economic growth and to discipline governments in law enforcement. Some of the official papers concerned the daily lives and immediate interests of the masses.
"In the past, official papers were veiled in a mysterious way and accessible only to government officials. The general public were denied access to the documents, denied their right to know," said Wang Xinmin, a senior archive administrator in Dalian.
After China's entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on December 11 last year and the ensuing acceleration in transforming government functions and increasing administrative transparency nationwide, the old methods of document issuance and management had been unable to keep up with the changing circumstances, Wang noted.
The freer access to the official papers was in compliance with WTO rules, added Wang.
Du Hongling, who is in charge of the municipal service center for government documents in effect, said there were 4,700-plus policies, regulations and other official papers that were open to the public in the center. They involved 66 government departments and sectors.
The center started operation late last year and has since received about 1,000 citizens, whose concerns included labor security, unemployment insurance and safeguarding of employees' interests.
"The center has made it much easier for the masses to supervise government departments and helped reduce corruption and urge officials to better serve the people," said a 50-year-old laid-off worker surnamed Jiang.
"The center is convenient and helpful," a Shanghaier surnamed Yang said. "I bought a flat here in Dalian. But the property developer failed to offer a quality guarantee and use directions, and asserted that there were no related rules in the city. However, I've consulted relevant official documents issued by the governments of Liaoning province and Dalian city."
Dalian is among a group of Chinese cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan and Jinan, which have lifted restrictions on consulting government documents.
In 2000, the city government of China's capital began publishing a bi-monthly journal carrying government regulations, policies, decrees and decisions. The journal is available to readers both at home and abroad.
The provincial government of Guangdong, south China, has since this month given foreigners' access to official papers.
Next year Dalian will increase the number of service centers for government documents in effect to 12, according to Wang Xinmin.
(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2002)
