Public involvement

We are so accustomed to public hearings becoming pretentious shows till a pleasant surprise popped up in the form of major policy changes in Hunan's local law-making agenda.

Seven of the 48 law-making tasks on the local legislature's agenda for 2009 were reportedly proposed directly by the public. Such a proportion, around one-seventh, is not high. But we see an inspiring start - civic participation in the local law-making process.

Making laws entails more than just common sense or strong feelings about everyday happenings. It calls for competence and expertise from members of our legislatures.