The move came from a suggestion by the local People's Congress members, or legislators, who have played a major role in Beijing's construction and development.

In another case last year, the local government worked out preferential policies for students returning to China from studying abroad in the Zhongguancun high-tech industrial park and simplified related procedures for the establishment of high-tech companies, at the request of 23 local People's Congress members.

Besides, local legislators have taken on the responsibility of transmitting the criticism and suggestions of citizens to related governmental departments.

Lack of public transport during peak hours used to be a headache for local residents in some 40 residential areas. To solve the problem, 441 legislators requested that the local transport bureau launch new bus routes and add extra buses. By October last year, 40 bus routes were added and 30 others were extended.

Last year, local legislators sent about 1,400 suggestions to the local government, most of which focused on the city's finance and economy, city construction and operation, human resources management, and science and education.

(Xinhua 01/31/01)