China updates list of government spokespersons

BEIJING -- China has publicized the latest list of spokespersons for 92 Party, central government and judicial organs in a bid to enhance transparency.

The name list was released at a media reception on Thursday evening by the Information Office of the State Council, China's cabinet. The telephone numbers of the spokespersons' offices were also listed.

About 20 organs have replaced their spokespersons, according to the name list.

Spokespersons were revealed for the first time for the newly established State Railways Administration and China Railway Corporation (CRC), which were formed as separate units following the dismantling of the Ministry of Railways.

Han Jiangping, who was spokesman for the former Ministry of Railways, has been named spokesman for the CRC. Zhao Guoqing, chief engineer of the State Railways Administration, was named the administration's spokesman.

Seven government-affiliated institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the All-China Women's Federation, also have new spokespersons.

The State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has a total of four spokespersons, the most of any organ, according to the list.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission is the only organ to employ full-time spokespersons who do not hold other positions in the securities watchdog.

The name columns are blank for the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee as the three have not decided their spokespersons yet.

Cai Mingzhao, head of the State Council Information Office, said the office will organize more press conferences or interviews about major government activities or hot issues in the coming new year.

He also promised to provide more convenience for foreign reporters' work.