Regulations of Shanghai for the Opening of Government Information has recently been passed at a municipal government meeting. It will be effective on May 1 this year. Under the regulation, government information relating to the economy, social administration and public services are supposed to be made public, except six items that belong to national secrets.

Regulations of Shanghai for the Opening of Government Information has recently been passed at a municipal government meeting. It will be effective on May 1 this year. Under the regulation, government information relating to the economy, social administration and public services are supposed to be made public, except six items that belong to national secrets. All citizens, corporations and other organizations have the right to ask for relevant information.

The regulations cover 38 articles in five chapters, listing all government information in relation to administrative criteria and development plans, matters concerning the public, use and supervision of public funds, and government institutions and personnel affairs, which should be made available to the public.

Specifically they involve documentaries and regulations of government, programming for cities at different levels and social-economic development, disaster or epidemic situation, unexpected incidents, education, social security, resettlement of households, public biding, financial budgeting and audit and civil servant employment.

According to the regulations, government agencies may disseminate information by means of bulletins, newspapers, magazines, government websites, press conferences, radio, TV, and public reading rooms.

The regulations also list the government information that is not supposed to be available to the public, which is as follows:

Information relating to national secrets:
Business secrets
Private affairs
Matters at issue or under investigation)
Matters related to law enforcement of administrative agencies which, if uncovered, will affect the law enforcement or put individuals concerned in danger
Others which are exempted from being opened by law.

It said that Shanghai is the first provincial government to adopt such kind of regulations.

(China.org.cn by Wang Ruyue February 3, 2003)