fyi
----- Original Message -----
From: Steven Clift <clift@publicus.net>
To: <DO-WIRE@LISTS.UMN.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 7:16 AM
Subject: [DW] News - China, the next e-democracy leader?
> *** Democracies Online Newswire - http://dowire.org ***
> *** Headlines from top blogs: http://dowire.org/feeds ***
>
> The article below contrasts considerably with other news about recent
> Internet forum restrictions, "CHINA: Non-students barred from chat
> room
> Against the wishes of Tsinghua University, non-students -- even
> alumni -- will not be able to participate in the campus chat room, as
> Propaganda Department increases Internet monitoring" - See:
> http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=21935
>
> However, China is a huge country with countervailing trends. Perhaps
> online transparency on government terms versus online spaces outside
> of direct government control will be something of which to take
> notice. Any thoughts?
> E-mail me: clift@publicus.net
>
> Steven Clift
> http://dowire.org
>
>
> From:
> http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-
> 03/22/content_426911.htm
>
>
> E-government spurs efficiency drive
> Fu Jing
> 2005-03-22 06:52
>
>
> The State Council vowed recently to facilitate e-governance, bringing
> the public and governments closer through the Internet.
>
> The move was made following growing complaints and criticisms against
> governmental websites being user-non-friendly and lacking useful
> information.
>
> Currently, the State Council Informatization Office is working with
> other central government departments to draft a regulation requiring
> all governmental organizations to publicize information of concern to
> the public.
>
> The regulation is expected to take effect this year.
>
> The office's department director, Zhao Xiaofan, said that people
> should be able to access information related to administrative
> affairs on official websites of governmental agencies by then.
>
> But in the past, people had no easy access to governmental documents
> and information because some of them were labelled as classified and
> hidden in archives.
>
> Since China embarked on market-oriented reforms at the end of 1970s,
> the public has been crying for more government transparency.
>
> ...
>
>
> Zhao said that the e-government initiative will promote democracy
> because it provides channels for citizens to voice their opinions and
> ideas through digital connections, such as e-mail and online forums.
> And even some simplified election procedures can be held by, for
> example, allowing online voting.
>
>
> ...
>
>
> Zhao Xiaofan said that the Internet has become an important channel
> for public opinion but in many local governments' websites, only
> headshots of officials could be found. They don't function as an
> avenue for listening and responding to the public.
>
> "Interaction between government departments and the public is badly
> needed through the Internet," said Zhao. "And that will be our
> office's work priority during next five to 10 years."
>
>
> ^ ^ ^ ^
> Steven L. Clift - - - W: http://publicus.net
> Minneapolis - - - - E: clift@publicus.net
> Minnesota - - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667
> USA - - - - - MSN/Y!/AIM: netclift
>
> UK Office Hours - 1pm - 11pm - - T: 0870.340.1266
> Join my Democracies Online Newswire: http://dowire.org
>
> *** Past Messages, to Subscribe: http://dowire.org ***
> *** To subscribe, e-mail: listserv@lists.umn.edu ***
> *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE ***
> *** To UNSUBSCRIBE instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE ***
> *** Please send submissions to: clift@publicus.net ***
> *** New RSS XML Feed Available: ***
> http://www.mail-archive.com/do-wire@lists.umn.edu/maillist.xml