Chinese gain right to sue govt for public records

BEIJING - The highest court in China says citizens have the right to sue any government department that refuses to release information that the law makes open to the public.

According to a judicial interpretation that was enacted by the Supreme People's Court on Saturday, the Chinese people can file suit against government departments if they turn down or ignore requests to disclose non-classified information or to correct information that has already been published.

That change is seen by many as the government's latest attempt to make itself more transparent and to protect citizens' right to know about public matters.