Local representatives voice concerns

SHANGHAI: Shi Weiguo never expected to be able to participate in the annual meeting of the municipal people's congress, let alone be a part of that force to drive for change.

But during the past few days, he has been helping scores of people deal with their plights by listening to their complaints over the phone, and promising to report them to the local legislature to seek solutions.

The 22-year-old student from Tongji University is one of 34 residents in Shanghai who were invited to audit the session and pass on grassroots complaints to local authorities.