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Public disapprove in govt's information disclosure

By XU JINGXI in Guangzhou | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2013-08-20 19:48

The public is dissatisfied with the government's disclosure of information and demand that officials who are slack in information disclosure be held responsible, according to a poll by Canton Public Opinion Research Center on 3,000 city residents in the Chinese mainland in July.

The State Council released a document in July to promote the disclosure of information in nine areas including the spending on receptions, vehicles and overseas trips — also known as "the three public consumptions" — environmental protection and food and drug safety.

As the survey shows, 74 percent of the polled think there are problems in the government's information disclosure, with the lack of complete and specific information as the two biggest complaints. Also, 35 percent of those who allege problems criticize the government of not having disclosed information, and 30 percent think the government has disclosed false information.

Only 30 percent of the polled are happy with how the government has dealt with officials who were slack in information disclosure, while 44 percent of the polled show dissatisfaction.

As many as 83 percent of the polled think these officials should be investigated for individual responsibility.

Besides, the survey shows that people are negative on local governments' information disclosure. Altogether 46 percent of the polled don't think local governments will disclose information related to the public's interests, while only 29 percent believe local governments will publicize such information.

The poll also shows that people with a better educational background and those who work in the government, public institutions and State-owned enterprises are stricter about the government's information disclosure.