Growing transparency in 'spokesperson system'
In a significant step toward transparent administration, an official spokesperson system has been started in Xiamen with 25 representatives of various city government departments making their debut on May 20.
The spokespersons also made their telephone numbers public and are required to answer their phones during work hours.
As well, they vowed they will not develop "aphasia" - a language disorder - when responding to questions from the media.
The spokespersons are all senior officials in their respective departments.
Hong Biling, head of the city's publicity department, said a good spokesperson must have adequate knowledge of business, conditions in the city and the world and excellent communication skills - something of an inter-disciplinary expert.
Yu Weiguo, Party chief of Xiamen, gave special instructions to the spokespersons:
"Their wording must be concise and not too long to distinguish it from general meetings and to improve effectiveness."
Hong proposed further requirements for the spokespersons to take the initiative in providing news and information to the media and conscientiously facilitating interviews.
The city government will now hold regular news conferences on the actual work in various departments, Hong said.
"The spokesperson is a job and a system," said Hong. "What he or she represents is the government's image, therefore should be fully aware of the duty and responsibility when releasing information."
Hong also urged the spokespersons to ensure their telephone numbers are reachable, and to make earnest and timely responses to media questions.
(China Daily 06/01/2011 page41)
