The annual sessions of China's legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), have traditionally been opportunities for journalists to glean the views of officials on major issues of public concern.

In years past, these efforts were often frustrated, as officials shun journalists, spoke in officialese, or dodged questions.

At this year's NPC and CPPCC sessions, journalists have been pleasantly surprised by officials who have been open and forthright, and who talk in everyday language about state affairs with NPC deputies, CPPCC members and the press.

On Saturday afternoon, for instance, Vice-Premier Wang Qishan discussed the food safety problem, which has kept the public on edge these past few years.

"About this (food safety), we (the government) are embarrassed, very embarrassed. Why? There's a lot of good food these days, but (people) worry when they eat this food," he said.

"Today, the problem is not whether there is enough food or enough variety; the problem is whether the food causes concern," he said, adding that the government has not yet overcome public concern over food safety, despite strenuous efforts over the past few years.

I myself was surprised at a press conference on Sunday with Zhang Ping, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and two of his deputies, when I asked the last couple of questions.

Besides querying him on what measures China would take to ensure energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, I asked about the blackouts residents suffered last year when local administrators tried to meet a target for cutting CO2 emissions per unit of GDP. When the media reported this last year, the NDRC immediately issued a circular ordering a stop to this practice.

Zhang Ping did not dodge my question. "I must apologize for these acts, because we, as the department responsible, did not provide proper guidance," he said. "This was not what we'd intended."

Like Zhang Ping, other government ministers were equally forthcoming on the challenges China must overcome to sustain its economic growth, bridge the income divide and rebalance the regional economic divide.

On Tuesday, at the conclusion of the afternoon session of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region delegation, their Party chief, Zhang Chunxian, opened the floor to the press.

"I won't avoid any questions from you so don't hesitate, just ask," he told the assembled 110 journalists who, in a frenzy to get closer to Zhang, overturned tables, spilled tea on the red carpet and tripped over media equipment. Some reporters were pushed down or knocked on the head by heavy cameras, my China Daily colleague Cui Jia said.

In the middle of this impromptu press conference, Zhang said to Cui he would "fulfill the promise I gave a few days ago" and allow her to ask a question. In the end, Zhang answered every single query, which ranged from how to prevent unrest to how old his daughter is. (She is studying for her PhD).

He commented on what lessons should be derived from the recent turmoil in the Middle East, saying: "Xinjiang is Xinjiang and other areas are other areas. Xinjiang won't be affected by what's going on in other places, because people trust the government."

These examples of candor and openness by public officials augur well, because I believe it is not only journalists, but the general public, who hope to see more officials speak this way, and not only during the annual NPC and CPPCC sessions.

Openness and candor are essential for building and enhancing public trust and for dispelling whatever misgivings there may be about what the government is doing. The public will be better informed, not only about what officials have achieved, but also about the problems and challenges that the nation faces in its efforts to improve the well-being of its people.

The author is assistant editor-in-chief of China Daily. E-mail: lixing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/11/2011 page9)