More channels should be provided for citizens to express their
opinions on public affairs, says a signed article in China
Reform Daily. An excerpt follows:
It is an age of citizens writing letters to high-ranking
officials or petitions to the National People's Congress (NPC) to
appeal for their legal rights.
Last week Gao Jiawei, a professor with China University of
Political Science and Law, wrote a letter to Minister of
Communications Li Shenglin questioning the collection and
utilization of road tolls. Previously Hao Jinsong, a 34-year-old
law school student at the same university, wrote a letter to
Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun asking his ministry not to increase
the price of tickets during the Spring Festival. And last December
Shanghai lawyer Yao Jianguo published a petition to the Standing
Committee of the NPC on an Internet forum, criticizing the police
of Futian District of Shenzhen for parading 100 prostitutes, pimps
and their clients. Similar reports can be found now and then.
It is an age of awakening of rights. A batch of lawyers and
scholars stand out to publicize their comments and requests on
public affairs, which helps promote the rule of law in our society.
But when writing letters becomes a major channel for citizens to
express their appeal for rights, it undoubtedly shows the illness
of the society.
Such letters can express public concerns but cannot increase
public power. They are not part of an institutionalized
procedure.
In a society of law, writing letters asking for legal rights can
be one choice but should not be the common practice. There should
be more formal channels that can really restrict the power of the
legislature and administration.
The government and officials should pay attention to public
voices. We need more smooth channels for the public to express
their opinions.
(China Daily January 24, 2007)