Advisers to get bigger say in policymaking

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A new regulation says Guangdong provincial authorities should consult the members of non-Communist parties and prominent social organizations before making important decisions.

Zhu Mingguo, deputy Party chief of Guangdong, said the regulation requires government departments to consult members of the Guangdong provincial committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which is the provincial political advisory body, before making decisions on important issues or seeking the provincial legislature's approval for policy matters.

Zhu said the regulation will help make the advisory body more powerful in coming years.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference is the country's political advisory body. It consists of representatives of the Communist Party of China, of eight democratic parties, of democrats with no party affiliations, of various people's organizations, of every ethnic group in China, of the residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao and of Chinese who have returned from overseas, as well as special guests.

The regulation, which was passed at the end of a work conference for provincial advisers, marks the first time the country's regulations have officially called on the government to consult certain organizations before making important decisions.

At the meeting, Wang Yang, Guangdong's Party chief, said democracy with Chinese characteristics will prove to be "efficient, inexpensive and productive".

"Without social supervision, it is very difficult to ensure that policies are well made and effectively carried out," the Party chief said.

Wang called on experts to draw on their special knowledge to offer political advice. He said that will encourage the public to participate in democratic politics in China.

Wang Zechu, a member of the Guangdong provincial advisory committee, said he hopes government departments will pay more attention to suggestions made by the public.

"The advisers should also reach out to the people to keep themselves abreast of public sentiment," he said.

Wang Yukai, a professor from the Chinese Academy of Governance, said Guangdong has taken the lead in asking government officials to seek advice before making important decisions or passing legislation.

It will also encourage various political parties to cooperate under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, he said.

The regulation encourages political advisers to consult the public more using micro blogs, e-mails and other forms of technology.

Huang Longyun, chairman of the Guangdong provincial committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, encouraged members of the advisory body to work harder at performing their duties and to contribute to proposals concerning the development of Guangdong.

He also called on them to communicate regularly with legislators from Taiwan, which will lead to better cooperation across the Straits.