Essential for govts to timely respond to public concerns

Whether a government timely responds to public sentiments about an event has a bearing on its credibility. A timely and honest response may avert a public crisis, while doing the opposite may provoke one.

That explains why the State Council released a document on Friday that requires governments at all levels to timely respond to public concerns about events such as serious accidents or natural disasters. It states news conferences should be held no later than in 24 hours after an event takes place.

It is indeed necessary for the government, local governments in particular, to do a better job in this respect.