Chongqing district open day lets public air concerns

CHONGQING-The Jiangbei district in Chongqing held an open day on Thursday, with 405 people invited to visit 29 government departments to convey their concerns.

The event was organized to hear residents' voices and improve services for them, district government sources said.

Ma Jiajun, a business operator in the district, said he previously had difficulties starting a company because he was unfamiliar with the steps he needed to take.

After hearing about the government open day at the end of November, he signed up, hoping to identify a clear set of steps for such applications.

"A staff member told me how to prepare the files and that I could check the relevant steps online. It's so convenient," Ma said.

He added that although the question he raised was trivial, the civil servant answered it with patience and respect.

Residents who attended the event could talk face-to-face with government officials familiar with their concerns.

Wang Shiwei raised questions with Ai Yu, deputy director of the district's market regulation administration, expressing concerns about food safety in the takeout delivery business.

Ai said the district government had inspected 3,147 restaurants registered on online catering apps, and some of those without certification were required to close.

Government open days will be promoted across all of Chongqing next year, an official with the general office of the municipal government said.

Chongqing has adopted multiple measures to more effectively respond to grassroots concerns and demands.

The city has dispatched government officials to interact directly with local residents over fishing bans, tax services and garbage sorting, among other issues connected with people's daily lives.

"Residents have the right to be informed, ask questions and supervise officials," said Xu Zuguo, from the city's information office, adding that the process was spurring wider grassroots engagement.

Xinhua