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Unveil mysterious government bodies

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-16 08:03

The 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China this year is also the 60th anniversary of the State Council. Yet the latter has never had a signboard outside its office. It makes no difference whether or not the State Council does this, yet it has become an urgent need for some local governments to do so, says an article in Zhujiang Evening News. Excerpt:

The State Council refuses to have a signboard outside its office because of its location at Zhongnanhai. But when some local governments try to keep their offices secret, the reasons are fairly subtle.

Local governments, people's congresses and judicial authorities at all levels have posted their addresses and phone numbers on websites.

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Some other public sector organizations, however, prefer to keep their signboards behind closed doors, cut off access through the Internet and reject having their numbers registered with the telephone directory.

People have only seen their names on TV but have no access to them, which only adds to their imagination about unofficial activities and furtive deals.

Premier Wen Jiabao has said the Sate Council should always keep its door open to the people, but what can Zhongnanhai do alone, when hundreds of grassroots governments turn a blind eye to the people?

In fact, it makes no difference whether the State Council puts up a signboard outside its office.

We are more interested in why some local government organizations do not want to reveal themselves. Is it because they lack authority, credibility or even legitimacy?

(China Daily 09/16/2009 page9)