All eyes on officials' bad work style

URUMQI - Chinese Internet users are using the country's twitter-like microblogging website to monitor government officials' efforts to reject extravagance and reduce bureaucratism.

The newly elected leadership of the country's ruling party vowed to meet eight requirements to improve their work style on December 4.

They asked officials at all levels to condense meetings, reduce ceremonies, shorten traffic controls during officials' visits and exercise thrift.

Internet users applauded the leadership's determination, and have since been exposing officials that do not implement the requirements, urging them to make corrections.

Web China, a microblog account of Xinhua News Agency on weibo.com, has received hundreds of comments and private messages reporting officials that still exercise an extravagant work style.

Last Friday, a Xinhua correspondent investigated a report from "Convenience library 3", posting the investigation progress online, and having the problem solved on the day.

According to this Internet user, officials from public security bureau, procuratorate, and court of Wuhu city's economic development zone held a work conference in a five-star hotel 280 kilometers away, a typical extravagant work style.

Local government reacted quickly and posted a public announcement on weibo.com eight hours after the incident was reported.

The announcement verified the report. It said the conference was held without the approval of superior departments. "The officials held responsible have been asked to be self-critical while participants of the conference should bear the expenses themselves instead of applying for reimbursements."

On Wednesday, an Internet user reported on weibo.com that Dechang city in South China was controlling traffic on a highway for officials on a visit.

Local traffic police responded in about four hours, telling CCTV, the country's state media, that the temporary highway closure was due to an emergency drill.

The traffic management bureau posted an apology on its microblog afterwards, and welcomed the public's supervision of their work.