Protocol set for response to public sentiment

Government news conferences must be held within 24 hours of serious major events and incidents to deal with public concerns, the General Office of the State Council said in a statement released on Friday.

The statement further specified the responsibility of national and local government agencies in responding to public opinion on government affairs.

The development of the internet in recent years has been changing how people communicate. Social media have the ability to incite and expand public sentiment quickly and often. But "some government officials do not respond to public sentiment quickly and effectively", the release said.