Apology good, action better

It is good to see the government apologize to residents for mistakes in its work and we hope an apology will be followed by concrete actions, says an article on the website of People's Daily. The following is an excerpt:

Recently, the government of Beijing Chaoyang district apologized to the residents for the odor from garbage dumps, which could cause health problems. The government vowed to get rid of the bad smell within 20 days. The apology on an environmental issue is welcomed by the public.

The apology signals that the government should provide good services to citizens. We are used to thanking the government for its good deeds. Actually, it is not that necessary. It is in fact the principle of the Party and the government to serve the people wholeheartedly. It is the people themselves who elect the governments of different levels through democratic and legal procedures. We call officials "the servants of the people".