Over the past decade, the Chinese people have become increasingly used to supervising the government and expressing their opinions on such issues as the distribution system reform, prices of basic daily necessities, housing demolition policies, and site selection for chemical works. They want to know how related Party and government agencies view and deal with these issues.

The Communist Party of China should respond to public concerns in a timely fashion, and do its best to meet the people’s needs, so the people can feel its care. From the online communication between netizens and the Party’s General Secretary Hu Jintao and a growing number of government micro-blogs to the establishment of the press release and spokesperson system and release of the Opinions on Further Promoting Open Government and Enhancing Government Services, “openness” has become a basic principle, “timely response” to public concerns has changed from voluntary to compulsory, and “interaction” has become a major criterion for political performance over the past 10 years.

Unlike the past, responses to public concerns in today’s China where everyone has a “microphone” face the challenge of information explosion. It has changed from “the government says and the people listen” to “two-way communication.” Therefore, disclosing information in a timely, open, and transparent manner is the best choice when it comes to such disasters as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis and the Wenchuan Earthquake. Presenting facts quickly but releasing information on causes prudently has become a principle for information disclosure. In addition, there are a growing number of innovative ways to respond in the Internet era.

Unlike the past, responses to public concerns in today’s China where the people are becoming increasingly aware of their rights undertake the mission of increasing public trust in the Party. Party cadres should respond to hot issues and public doubts sincerely, and respect the public’s right to know. They should respond rather than hit back, communicate with the people rather than set themselves against the public, solve different problems in different ways according to the specific situation, and avoid holding prejudices or shirking their responsibilities. These principles have been accepted by most cadres, reflecting the Party’s growing confidence in governing the country.

Reponses bring interaction, which builds up mutual trust. More and more Party cadres have realized that the people’s needs are the Party’s ruling power, and public doubts are also valuable resources. Modern administration requires officials to work under the supervision of public opinion, properly resolve issues of public concern, dispel public doubts through openness and transparency, increase public trust in the government by hearing and correcting one’s mistakes gladly, and win the public support by protecting their legitimate interests. This will not only enhance their governance abilities, but also demonstrate the Party’s mass line.