Nearly 11,000 people have visited the Chinese central government website www.gov.cn, which opened on a trial basis Saturday.

The website provides information on government work, including latest news, policies and content of press conferences, procedure in handling certain affairs.

In addition, it enables people to go through certain approval procedures and lodge complaints and petitions online.

The website also provides links to the websites of 48 government departments.

"Opening of the Central Government website is an indication of China's determination to build a transparent and efficient government. It will help the Central Government to disseminate information timely and fully to the general public," said Professor Mao Shoulong of the People' University of China in Beijing.

He said in the past, it's inconvenient for people to obtain government information.

"There's lack of communication between the government and the general public. This website will solve this problem effectively," said Mao.

In an online survey conducted through the website, 40 percent of the 10,900 respondents chose "online interaction" as their primary concern about government websites, followed by information on latest government affairs and handling certain affairs online.

An official with the website pledged that while providing services to the public, the website will gradually realize online interaction between the government, businesses and citizens.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2005)