A good system can do it best

Mobile phone users in Jiangxi province got an unexpected text with the numbers of their governor and vice-governor. They were told that they could reach the province's two heavyweights if they found irregularities in the low-rent and affordable houses markets. The two had their phones flooded with incoming calls because the local residents wanted to see whether they were accessible. Seemingly, the two officials were ready to look into the hardships of the local residents.

But the idea was not novel. Earlier this year Qiu He, Party chief of Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, asked for all the numbers of heads of the local Communist Party and government departments to be published. Also, hotlines set up by government institutions were innumerable. Jiangxi's governor and vice-governor were the highest in ranking and have invited curiosity and interest from the local residents and busybodies outside. We have no idea whether the two numbers are specially set for this purpose. Having made their numbers public, the two government officials dare to "talk" to the local people calmly and confidently. This alone earns them salute and applause. Wait. One more question that is not that peachy. Why does the issue have to count on the two officials? It is unrealistic to leave the problems in the hands of some officials. When the system is sound, we will find the right place to pour out our woes.

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